Southsea Lifestyle - June / July 2020

Summer 2020

Southsea CELEBRATING 15 YEARS IN PRINT

Lifestyle

TURNING A CRISIS INTO AN OPPORTUNITY Page 41 LOCAL GP TALKS ABOUT COVID-19 Page 38

THE QUEENS HOTEL

THE BEATING HEART OF SOUTHSEA Page 25

YOUR MAGAZINE IS BOX FRESH & DELIVERED WITH CARE

Bespoke jewellery designed and handmade in our Southsea Boutique and Workshop.

One to one personal shopping, Bespoke design appointments or buy online with Free Delivery or click & collect.

Molly McMaster sporting her winning design ‘Staying Connected’ bespoke bangle!

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n gineering student Molly collected her bangle just before starting an 8 week work placement in construction in Falmouth, having just completed her Finals. Congratulations Molly!

To me, the bangle represents the idea of rope being a connection, tying things together. In Portsmouth, there’s the rope connection to the historic boats as well as today the RNLI being the boats that save lives in the city. As well as that, rope could almost represent the situation we’ve been through. That rope is only as strong as the combination of the smaller elements which make it up.

HOW DID WE CHOOSE? It took our team many hours to narrow down all the incredible entries to five finalists of all ages, the youngest being 10 years old. Then we opened it up to the public with over 1300 votes cast for their favourite via Social media.

If you would like to commission this winning bangle design get in touch, and Molly is delighted with 5% going to her, and 5% to RNLI where her mother volunteers.

CHARLOTTECORNELIUS.CO.UK 87A Marmion Road Southsea PO5 2AX

MOLLY SAYS... It’s great to see the design transformed from the sketches to the finished bangle, the texture contrast has really brought it to life.

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2013

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CONTRIBUTORS Kate Thompson is a Southsea writer with a passion for uncovering quirky human interest stories

CONTENTS 12 LESSONS FROM LOCKDOWN 17 WHY THE BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST WAS SO IMPORTANT TO ME 21 CLARION CALL FOR A PLASTICS

Neil Maxwell is director of Fry & Kent Estate Agents, and a volunteer crew member of the RNLI Emma Beatty teaches journalism at the University of Portsmouth.

She has lived in Southsea for thirteen years, and has two children Charlotte Griffiths is a blogger, freelance marketer & photographer.

She has three little girls and a whippet called Hugo Sienna Chin is a prospective sociology and anthropology student who is passionate about social issues Malisa Sledmere moved to Southsea 12yrs ago and discovered No.6 Cinema. She became a fundraiser, volunteer and director, determined to keep the cinema open Vanessa Goldbert Textile Artist & Florist @vanessa_jayne_design

Southsea Lifestyle Produced by Salad Publishing Ltd Editor: Kevin John Dean Editorial assistant: Kai Austin Dean Creative Director: Zirrinia Austin Dean Social media: Urban Salt Web design: Daniel Sweeney What’s on listings: Sophie McCue

REVOLUTION 22 PRESSING PLAY 25 THE BEATING HEART OF SOUTHSEA 28 THE GRAPES ARE NOT WITHERED ON THE VINE AFTER ALL 30 CORONA MORTGAGES 32 WELCOME HOME 36 THE CULTURE CRAFTY VULTURE 38 THOUGHTS ON COVID-19 FROM A PORTSMOUTH GP 40 SOUTHSEA GREEN 41 TURN A CRISIS INTO AN OPPORTUNITY 44 STREET SPACE 46 BACK IN BUSINESS 50 CELEBRATING NURSING

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ello, it’s good to be back. Re-reading my intro to our last edition February/March, I talked in glowing terms about the year ahead. Little did I know... It’s not all lost of course, and as we begin to emerge from the lockdown blinking into the light, with our strange hairstyles and sanitised hands, life is much the same, just a little bit different.

I’ve grown used to the queues and the masks, but I still feel surprised when someone crosses the street as I come towards them, it’s all done very politely of course, as though they’ve always wanted to check out the telegraph pole on the other side of the road, but I guess that’s part of the ’new normal’ that we hear so much about As we embark on this new world, do we go back to madly making up for lost time and lost wages, or do we begin to see a value in taking more time to look after others, ourselves and the planet? We asked 6 people from various sectors in the city for their thoughts (p.41), while local GP, Penny Wilson, talks about new ways of looking after patients - plus Penny gives some health advice (p.38).

A young student Sienna Chin talks about the Black Lives Matter movement, her experience of racism and her hopes for a better future (p.17). We may have strong opinions about history, statues and TV programmes from the 1970s, but if we put these cultural symbols to one side, it is how we perceive and treat people that really counts, if nothing else, let’s hope that will be the ’new normal’.

Kevin John Dean

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DESIGN HOUSE SOUTHSEA is delighted to re-open, offering a full interior design service, including curtain make-up, paint mixing, carpets, wallpapers and furniture.

Our opening times are slightly different, so please call in advance to ensure we are here to see you.

A big thank you to all our customers for your continued support. .

55-57 Marmion Road Southsea PO5 2AT Tel/Fax 02392 838038 www.designhousesouthsea.co.uk Like us on

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LESSONS FROM LOCKDOWN

T

Jane Prescott, Headmistress Portsmouth High School GDST

he Japanese term Kintsugi which means golden

hosting online collaborations, but they understand the

joinery, comes from their art of repairing

importance of the mute button, for example, and

something broken into an object of greater

choosing suitable backgrounds.

beauty. Making something go from useless to priceless.

This pandemic has shown us something similar. There has been unbelievable loss and tragedy. However, families have found they have the time for walks and talks in a way that their busy lives did not allow before lockdown. Children have been able to take life at a slower pace too, and enjoy more art activities and baking, for example. Time gained from not having to commute any further than the bedroom to the kitchen is put to use in other ways. Relatives have “met” with their families on a more regular basis, and whilst spending time online may not be their place of choice, it has provided a greater opportunity to catch up with family news.

Pub

quizzes

have

brought

groups together along with challenges that raise money for charity. We have all made a greater effort to stay in touch.

Schools have faced so many challenges in the last few months. Parents have become assistant teachers if their children are young, and even teenagers have required more intervention than they would have normally needed from their parents.

Children have learned new skills during lockdown and families have discovered family time, not normally possible in busy households. Pupils are taking part in online face to face lessons giving them an insight in working from home and virtual meetings. They know how to stay motivated, and whether this way of working would suit them. Previously they may have seen parents

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Those students who were released from the pressures of public examinations may feel relieved, but also aggrieved that their end result is determined by the achievement of their predecessors because of the possibility that the final grade is based on how well previous cohorts performed – they cannot change the past, but it influences their future.

However, they have had time to embark on virtual pre courses which arguably prepare them better for their next stage.

Whilst gyms have remained closed, everyone has taken advantage of the good weather by getting out at least for their daily walk, and in many cases for much more of a work out.

Older children may end their day with exercise and a nation has tuned to Joe Wicks’ and others’ daily routines. Taking time and effort to ensure life is not too sedentary has been a focus for many. We may eat more in lockdown, but most of us are trying hard to balance that excess with activity.

It has been difficult not to hug friends and family, and even to see them in person if they are not local. This, along with other measures has meant children have developed a resilience to the changes that are part of normal life. Children on the whole have adopted the new way of living with remarkable ease, and their adaptability is beyond what we would have expected.

The global pandemic is not a situation that anyone would want repeated but good has risen out of the bad.

I hope the future keeps some of the slower, less rushed aspects we have all enjoyed.

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ST JOHN’S COLLEGE MAKES FAR-REACHING CHANGES FOR TOMORROW’S WORLD

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In a world where children are being educated for jobs that do not currently exist, it is vital that learning establishments adapt their curriculums to meet these needs.

St John’s College in Southsea is doing just that!

rom September 2020, The Lower School (Reception to Year 4) will see students start their learning journey, with a curriculum based on child-led development and discovery. In the Middle School (Year 5 to Year 8), students will study a wider curriculum offering variety, challenge and social development, whilst using technology to enhance their learning. Throughout Senior School (Year 9 to Year 13), the academic focus will be developed as students prepare for GCSE, A Level exams and life beyond St John’s College as global citizens.

to have secure subject knowledge, but they also must be able to work together, be flexible and adaptable in a fast-moving world, where jobs they could be doing have not yet been created. Academic success is of course imperative, but students also need resilience, initiative and curiosity to succeed in the workplace. Our aim is to create world ready learners who can cope seamlessly with the challenges thrown at them in this everchanging world. Recent weeks have shown that our students already have developed some of these skills to a high level.”

In addition to this work on their core education focus, St John’s College has announced a further development in their international links by joining with a partner in China to establish ten St John’s High Schools over the next ten years. As the only boarding school in Portsmouth, the College will also continue to develop a diverse and truly international Boarding Community, giving students the opportunity to learn about different cultures in their city centre campus.

The changes come to ensure that St John’s College is at the cutting edge of the independent sector, equipping students with key life skills and a life-long love of learning.

In light of the recent COVID-19 crisis, digital skills have become even more important.

Since lockdown, students have benefitted from up to 5 hours of face to face lessons per day via Microsoft TEAMS. Mrs Mary Maguire, Head of College commented, “This is an exciting opportunity for St John’s College. Our young people need 14

Mrs Maguire added, “There is an urgent need to update education systems to equip children with the skills to navigate the future of work and the future of societies. I am proud that St John’s College is modernising how we educate our students.”

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It was heartwarming to see so many familiar faces, being greeted by people I knew and receiving many supportive messages after.

Photo by Charlotte Griffiths

WHY THE BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST WAS SO IMPORTANT TO ME We asked Southsea student Sienna Chin to give us her thoughts on attending the recent Black Lives Matter protest in Portsmouth, and she shared why it was such an important event for the city.

R

acism isn’t just being called a racial slur. It’s

any setting, thus improving the quality of life and

being followed with a closer eye than the rest

race relations for all.

of the customers in a packed shop, it’s having

your hair petted and constant comments on how

exotic, outlandish, and rare it is.

Black people were reported as being “over-policed and under-protected” by the Metropolitan Police in the Macpherson report (1999), and it is still

It’s the worry of losing friends over racially insensitive jokes, seeming “too sensitive” and never seeing them again.

incredibly relevant today.

Within Hampshire alone, black people are 12 times more likely to be stopped and searched than their

Or keeping those friends and knowing that they find

white counterparts (Crime, justice and the law,

your experiences funny but being ‘reassured’ that they

2020). This causes black communities to feel as

would “never say the ‘n-word’ around you”.

though the police are not on their side, and therefore

It’s having uncomfortable discussions with people who

creates a tense relationship in which black people

think your desire to be treated equally is up for debate.

are hesitant to contact them in times of need.

After my first direct experience of racism, I guarded

The Guildhall Square protest changed my entire

myself by lowering the expectations I held of my

outlook on Southsea. I was, in the best way

peers to stand up for their friends of colour in the face

possible, so surprised that this many people from

of ignorance and adversity. Social gatherings with

Southsea and wider Portsmouth were present. They

people like these, only ever left me feeling even more

showed so much compassion and empathy for their

alien and disheartened, and caused further damage

black peers and the global movement. Every white

to my own self-esteem and identity.

protester was listening to our experiences, and are

When I first heard about the Portsmouth and Southsea BLM protest, I felt nervous, I knew it was finally time to speak up in a place that was nothing

still using their own voices to educate others who struggle to empathise due to a lack of black, asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) people in their lives.

like a classroom; a space that is inviting,

It was heartwarming to see so many familiar faces,

encouraging, an area for sharing new ideas. It

being greeted by people I knew and receiving

was the place where I had, on occasion been

many supportive messages afterwards.

made to feel alienated and vulnerable: the streets of Southsea.

I was reminded that BLM is so important, as it uplifts and inspires so many young people from

“Black Lives Matter” means we matter too.

BAME backgrounds and will undoubtedly make

The BLM movement is a peaceful form of activism, not only about protesting against

their experiences in the world, both professionally and socially, so much better.

injustices, but also petitions for change, working

The happiness and belonging I finally feel, after

with leaders of communities, interaction with local

being a part of such a movement has had a huge

councillors and governing bodies, and actively

impact on my life. I now feel free to use my voice

challenging

and to feel at home in the city that I love.

forms

of

racial

prejudice

in

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THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND MARKETING CONSULTANT, CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS, TOOK SIENNA’S PHOTO (P. 16) Charlotte talks about her reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement and some of her experiences

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he BLM movement has given me a voice, because until now, I couldn’t find the words, or feel confident enough to speak about how I feel.

Racism comes in many different forms and it is something I have experienced at different stages of my life as a child and teen growing up in Waterlooville. And later as an adult, on my own doorstep in Southsea at the time of the referendum, “vote UKIP” was shouted at me from a van window as it drove past. Then a while ago, in front of my eldest child someone shouted a racially offensive word as they cycled away… “mummy, what did they say…?”.

The day my daughter, at 5 years old, told me she wanted lighter skin, made me so, so sad. I don’t know exactly what happened at school that day,

but she came home wanting to be like other children in her class. At 10 years old she is very aware of race, equality and diversity. She is fascinated in learning about black history and was delighted to discover she shares her first name with Harriet Tubman, the former slave and American abolitionist.

Racism is not new, it has always been with us, and will be until we continue to educate and unite. No judgement, no hate. Pure love.

As a photographer I feel privileged to announce a photography project with women of colour from Portsmouth that will take place in July.

If you are interested in taking part email charlottegriffithsphotography@gmail.com Together we will celebrate and educate.

Photo by Hannah Smith, Edited by Charlotte Griffiths

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CLARION CALL FOR A PLASTICS REVOLUTION Adapted article from SOLVE magazine, the University of Portsmouth’s recently-published research magazine. See www.port.ac.uk/solve REPORT BY BRAD COLLIS

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hen the first production line was conceived and installed to massproduce pulley blocks for the Royal Navy in the latter stages of the Napoleonic Wars, it placed Portsmouth at the start of the Industrial Revolution. Today, Portsmouth is leading another revolution – to change the world's relationship with one of the twentieth century’s most pervasive technologies: plastic.

Teams of scientists, business-leaders, campaigners and citizens are being assembled by the University of Portsmouth to transform the manufacture, use and disposal of this seductively convenient but polluting material, which has generated a contamination crisis on land and at sea.

Revolution Plastics, as the initiative has been dubbed, has set out to create a new plastics economy based on improved recyclability, policy support from all tiers of government, and community engagement to achieve behavioural change in the use of plastics.

WHY PORTSMOUTH? Portsmouth is seen as a microcosm of the technical, economic, societal and political hurdles that need to be cleared in most countries to enable changes to plastics life cycles and environmental management.

Portsmouth has vulnerable coastal and marine environments, faces rising sea levels, is adjacent to UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve on the Isle of Wight, and has the UK’s highest urban population density outside London, with pockets of deprivation and poor health.

There is also a rising level of environmental awareness through local organisations and groups advocating sustainability, conservation and plastic waste reduction. This is the community foundation that the University intends to support and build upon.

An extensive survey of Portsmouth residents found most people are acutely aware of plastic pollution, along with climate change and energy issues.

Almost all respondents said they had made some effort already to modify their uses of plastics, such as using alternative shopping bags, refusing plastic straws and increasing their recycling.

The survey showed most people are keen to reduce plastic waste, but they require guidance, support and, critically, assurance they will not be the ones bearing the cost.

Project leader Professor Steve Fletcher

This is where the science – chemical, industrial, economic

and social – comes in, and why project leader Professor Steve Fletcher says if the Portsmouth community can revolutionise the use of plastics as part of a larger sustainability platform, then any community in the world can. “We see this being a pilot programme for the planet … an incubator for similar programmes in other cities, communities and countries,” he says.

THE PLASTIC-DIGESTING ENZYME

Only one per cent of people surveyed hold a view that individuals are powerless and therefore recycling or changing plastic use is pointless. The main barrier, for the majority of people, is knowing what to do.

A team of scientists worked with the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory to solve the crystal structure of PETase – a recently discovered enzyme that digests PET. During this study, they engineered an enzyme that is even better at degrading the plastic than the one that evolved naturally.

People’s knowledge of climate change and environmental pressures, such as plastic pollution, is steadily increasing. What’s missing are clear, practical answers and evidence that manufacturers, food and transport industries and governments are taking a lead.

KNOWLEDGE BANK To address this, the University will position itself as the broker, providing research support for manufacturers, users, civic administrators and consumers. Professor Fletcher, who is Director of the University’s Sustainability and the Environment research theme and an adviser to the United Nations on ocean resources, says the Revolution Plastics programme seeks to achieve a transition away from unsustainable and polluting practices to a future in which sustainable plastics manufacturing and consumption is the norm.

All aspects of society, the economy and politics need to adapt to achieve sustainability. He explains: “Transitioning to a sustainable plastics future creates an opportunity to engage with multiple disciplines – biology, psychology, marine sciences, geosciences, fashion, food and urban design – and industry and community sectors, at different scales and intensities.”

Revolution Plastics builds on the momentum created by the University’s globally acclaimed engineering of an enzyme that can digest some of the most commonly polluting plastics, such as plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which persists for hundreds of years in the environment.

The ongoing research is now supported by the Centre for Enzyme Innovation, which, in partnerships with industry, will have the capacity to take on the global plastics challenge.

A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH The University itself is already leading by example, showing what is possible through its own procurement, use and disposal of resources (materials, water, energy and services). This will work hand in glove with the formation of community and industry partnerships to transform the city into a global civic leader in sustainability.

Some of this work will connect plastics research and sustainability with the city’s identity and enmesh plastics-related projects, groups, campaigns and organisations, including schools, with university teaching and research. The University wants to work with local organisations and is planning to host events, talks and other activities so the city community can join the revolution.

Find out more at www.port.ac.uk or email revolutionplastics@port.ac.uk 21

PRESSING PLAY Malisa Sledmare

I

t’s been a tough time for everyone recently, not least for the numerous entertainment venues both near and far. The question now is how will we all get going again if 2m social distancing is still in place when we open again? Most venues will not be commercially viable with a 2m radius between each party, a 224 seater auditorium would only be able to seat 42 people. Ouch.

H o w e v e r, l e t ’s look on the bright side! With good luck and a following wind No6 Cinema is hoping to open its doors again in September after what would have been our usual summer break, but how will we lure people back to our lovely cinema?

Many of the films that would have been released over the last few months have been held over, whilst quite a number of movies have been distributed to on-demand streaming platforms. Universal Pictures made a pitch perfect call by postponing the release date of the new Bond film until November.

There were gasps of disbelief at first that it should be pushed so far back, but they got their timing pretty much bang on. Other big hitters such as Wes Anderson and Christopher Nolan have films in the pipeline

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so what with those fabulous films to look forward to, plus cherry picking some of the best films that have already been released, we will endeavour to put together a programme so tempting it will prove impossible to stay away.

Apart from the delectable programme of films being the main way we can encourage people to come back to the cinema it is also really important that No6 makes you feel safe, comfortable and confident that every effort and p r o t o c o l pertaining to safe behaviours has been followed.

We will have to ask customers to book online or pay by contactless card and practice the required social distancing. All our volunteers will be trained and will be following best practice guidelines for venues.

Films are life changing and cinema can make a huge difference to how people feel about themselves and their lives, they are transformative and make a big difference to communities. That’s why it is so important to keep independent cinemas alive.

No6 will need your support when it re-opens, we are a not for profit organisation, and we are completely reliant on our audience for income.

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THE GOODS YARD Open for business as usual

Floorboards, reclaimed doors, radiators bought & sold Garden furniture, gates and railings stripped and powder coated

Plus a large range of antique and retro furniture

Parking at Johnstone's Decorating Centre

GOLDSMITH AVENUE, FRATTON, PORTSMOUTH P04 OBT

TEL: 023 9281 8703 - 07503146108

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THE BEATING HEART OF SOUTHSEA

H

er doors may have been closed to the public since the end of March… but that hasn’t stopped the Queens Hotel from being a hive of activity during the coronavirus lockdown.

From offering respite and solace to NHS workers on the frontline, to being the focus for a community cooking project that has seen many hundreds of meals for vulnerable people prepared at the Queens Hotel, she has remained the beating heart of Southsea.

The love for her community has literally radiated from the walls with weekly projection mapping events to show our appreciation for the NHS and all key workers.

working with Samsung on a digital technology interactive graffiti wall. Each image is unique with a different reflection in the pupil capturing a special moment in time.

“The reflection is rather special because it captures the seafront complete with pier, and I’ve earned myself points for being a good husband by including a silhouette of my wife and I from a photo my son took of us recently at the beach.

“Coming out of the lockdown, I hope this captures the need we’ve all had to be with the ones we love,” he said.

As the hotel prepares to welcome guests for their new look garden events from July 4, there is a real buzz around the hotel once more.

A dramatic new piece of street art has arrived at the Queens Hotel, thanks to Southsea based artist My Dog Sighs.

Photo by Jon Tyrrell

Looking back over the last few months of lockdown, it was clear that preparing to close as the pandemic took hold was one of the toughest challenges for the management team.

A skeleton staff has helped to ensure the safety and comfort of NHS guests who began arriving in April.

Measuring a whopping 20m x 20m, the distinctive eye will be watching over the beautiful Queens Hotel garden, and it is also visible from further afield.

“Passengers on the hovercraft from the Isle of Wight spotted the design taking shape and cycled over to have a chat with me,” quipped My Dog Sighs, who has painted murals across the globe in the USA, China, Italy, Israel, Korea, and Australia.

His eye design has won My Dog Sighs a global audience of admirers and recent commissions have included

Managing Director Farid Yeganeh, explained: “As soon as we went into lockdown, we felt we really wanted to do something to help, and so we offered our rooms to NHS staff.

“We wanted to make a meaningful contribution to staff who were quite literally saving lives during the pandemic.”

Nurse Gemma Powell was living at the Queens Hotel for nearly two months, while caring for patients on the Respiratory High Care ward at Queen Alexandra Hospital. She could not go home as she was working in a

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high-risk environment, and her pregnant daughter was high risk herself.

and Portsmouth City Council, the Queens Hotel has

“I will never forget how well we were treated at the Queens Hotel – I’ve never felt so special.It is a beautiful building and the staff are amazing – they are like family.

hungry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would get in from a night shift and everything would be clean and perfect in the room - and even a card which made me cry.

the Queens Hotel, Farid Yeganeh to create the meals and

“If ever I was exhausted emotionally, the staff at the hotel would cheer me up. If I could have brought my daughter and cat to live with me, I would have stayed there forever.”

Working at the hotel during the lockdown and seeing the NHS workers returning exhausted to the hotel at the heart of Southsea, Megan Lockyer, kind hearted duty manager, created a great way to say thank you.

been helping to ensure those most in need did not go Head chef at Brasserie Blanc at Gunwharf Quays, Anghel Niko Nedelcu joined forces with Managing Director at they were joined by General Manager Chris Gilmore and Head Chef Paul Playford, who work at the Queens Hotel’s sister establishment, the Royal Beach Hotel.

Other furloughed chefs have offered their services and there has been a real community spirit in the kitchen.

Suppliers and city based companies have also donated to the cause. We are really grateful to PMC Construction and Remediation for their continued support, and Buckwells of Southsea for donating meat to help make our meals extra special.

Marking the weekly appreciation for key workers became a major event at the hotel too. The Queens Hotel became the backdrop for a series of visual events that helped to raise our spirits during the lockdown.

Social media expert at the Queens Hotel, Aina Sutka explained: “We wanted to show our support for key workers and the NHS during this difficult time.

“And when it came to marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day, we really wanted to say thank you to all the people who fought for our freedom.”

All this was achieved, by working with Pete Hall from Portsmouth based Rhino Audio Visual.

Looking forward to their planned programme of garden events which are designed to allow the public to once

“I came up with the idea of making hampers for the NHS workers who were staying with us.

more enjoy the Queens Hotel with a VIP experience in a

“The NHS staff had told us how sore their hands were due to constant washing, and we were able to include aloe vera hand cream along with relaxing bath gels, slippers, and other items,” she explained.

“There have undoubtedly been challenges we have

The first hampers were given to NHS workers during the Easter celebrations, and more hampers are currently being distributed with the help of The Hive.

community we serve and we have especially enjoyed

Working with The Hive charity, Pompey in the City,

safe setting, Farid summed up the journey so far. had to face during the lockdown, and the future for the hospitality industry is still far from straightforward.

“But this crisis has enabled us to reach out to the working with local businesses who need our support during this difficult time. We look forward to welcoming you all back soon,” he said.

GARDEN EVENTS AT THE QUEENS HOTEL OFFER THE PERFECT SETTING FOR FAMILY REUNIONS

W

ith news that families can now meet up with grandparents and loved ones, we hope our new look garden events will offer the perfect setting for these reunions.

With live music, delicious food, table service and a full package of precautions to ensure your safety, we hope you will be able to join us from July 4.

The garden events will run on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 7pm. They will be subject to government guidelines.

We respectfully ask our guests to remain within their designated area, toilet facilities will be available to garden guests only.

Bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Bookings are now being taken for July 4 and 5. Tables will be released each Monday for the following weekend. Please email info@queenshotelportsmouth.com or phone our reception team on 02392 822 466 between 8am-4pm and place your name on the list.

Up to 6 people can sit at a table and there will be a 2m distance around each one.

If it rains during the garden event, it will be cancelled and we will move your booking to the next available booking window. We will use our social media channels to warn guests about weather related cancellations so please check our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts for updates.

As we mentioned before, there will be no orders at the bar.

Initial drinks orders will need to be placed and paid for when booking. Further orders will be taken at your table.

More information will follow on menus and drinks – we are really looking forward to welcoming you at our new look garden events.

There will be a table charge of £60 (£10 per head) and a limited number of smaller tables (10 per head).

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THE GRAPES ARE NOT WITHERED ON THE VINE AFTER ALL Neil Maxwell

T

he announcement that estate agents could re-open on the 20th May took our industry completely by surprise. Fortunately, we had already been working on a re-opening plan and we were able go ahead with relative ease - providing a COVID-19 secure environment for our staff and visiting clients.

We have defined a clear process for visiting clients’ houses and showing interested parties all aspects of the property, while at the same time ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

Another innovation has been the creation of our ‘Virtual Valuations’, where we carry out valuations for clients who may be shielding via videophone, which has added a new, less intrusive dimension to our services.

Since re-opening the level of enquiries for sales and lettings has been overwhelming, with one letting property alone receiving over 80 enquiries, and a sales property that received 27 viewing requests. We have all worked very hard to ensure that service standards do not slip

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in the face of this high demand.

Pent up demand, coupled with a traditionally busy time of year for property enquiries is driving a highly active marketplace.

So if you’re thinking of selling, don’t be put off by the current situation.

Now could be the perfect time to sell.

There were countless prophets of doom during the lockdown, who talked about house prices going through the floor, based upon data provided from mortgage lenders who couldn’t lend, as nothing was being sold due to the lockdown.

Obviously not a very reliable barometer of what was about to happen as the market began to re-emerge from the lockdown.

I valued a house today that had a beautiful vine which encompassed the back garden. Over the years, the plant has grown so prolifically that several of its branches have spread into five neighbouring gardens, providing a bountiful supply of grapes for all. We can only hope that the housing market enjoys the same health in months to come.

PERTH HOUSE, SOUTHSEA £185,000 EPC C

• Stunning ‘Designer Infused’ two-bedroom first floor apartment.

• Open plan living room and quality fitted kitchen complete with integrated appliances.

• This apartment is share of freehold and comes with allocated parking. Perfect home for first time buyers and investors.

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• Charming Victorian three bedroom town house located in one of Old Portsmouth’s narrow back streets.

• Front facing living room with wide open way to a 15ft x 8ft kitchen/breakfast room with bi-fold doors to a useful courtyard.

• Transport facilities are also close-by including train services to London (Waterloo) and other coastal resorts.

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• 1,400 sq. ft (127.7 sq. m) of deceptively spacious interior comprises; useful multi - functional family room, living room and L-shaped kitchen/dining room complete with integrated appliances. On the first floor there is a galleried landing leading to four bedrooms (three double) and family bathroom.

• Southerly facing landscaped rear garden with raised decking and artificial lawn.

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CORONA MORTGAGES

A

Chris Holden offers advice to homeowners, or people wishing to buy or sell month is a long time in this Coronaworld. Certainly in the housing and mortgage market.

assess income through the lockdown. Expect testing questions about the viability of your business in the future.

We have seen a huge surge in houses going on the market, viewings and applications.

Rightmove reported their busiest day of website traffic in May. I, as a mortgage broker, have been inundated in the last two weeks with enquiries and applications.

The better news is that common sense is prevailing around missed credit payments during the crisis, those with furloughed income and those deferring mortgage payments have been treated fairly. Brokers will be able to advise more specifically around these issues as more applications are submitted.

This is all, of course, good news. Those caught in limbo having sold or bought a new house have been able to move in or out, and estate agents, conveyancers, removal companies — have all been able to bring staff back in, and off furlough.

As with the rest of the world, the housing market has changed, and it is important to know where the new challenges, and of course opportunities, will lie.

The housing market will only be as strong as the mortgage market that drives it. High Loan to Value Lending (LTV) will be tough and this will impact the first-time buyers more than most. Firstly, very few lenders have committed to 90% plus LTV mortgages. Indeed, Accord (part of the Yorkshire Building Society Group) were the first high street lenders to return to 90% but had to withdraw their products due to the huge demand. The big players are still biding their time.

Secondly, whilst application numbers have increased exponentially, this does not mean all those applications are being agreed. Houses are being down valued by cautious surveyors and underwriters are scrutinising income forensically. The self employed are particularly vulnerable here – whilst previously 2 years of accounts would have sufficed, now lenders want to see 3 months of bank statements to 30

And as for the opportunities – there are some and they are significant. Borrowing money is as cheap as it has been in a generation. Fixed and variable rates commonly well below 1.5%. House prices seem likely to flatten as the year progresses which will help those starting on the ladder and from a local perspective I expect the private student housing stock to be released back into the market for residential purchase which will also control prices.

For those not wanting to move, sell, or buy, and who have had to defer mortgage payments, it seems that lenders continue to take a practical view on extending mortgage holidays. It is not in their interest to have a swathe of repossessions on their hands, and they continue to be under pressure from the government to keep helping their customers.

Whatever your situation, it is important now more than ever to take professional advice.

Any broker worth their salt will not charge for anything other than a full application, so if in doubt pick up the phone and have a chat.

We are here to help.

Chris Holden is managing director of At Pace Mortgages info@apmortgages.co.uk 023 9236 9441

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WELCOME HOME

If lockdown has taught us all one thing, it is the importance of the place we call home.

Kate Thompson talks to Una Allan.

A

fter more than 20 years living in their family home, Una and Bill Allan took the big decision to remodel their much loved abode.

Just when most empty nesters would be thinking about down-sizing, the adventurous couple decided to make the most of their bricks and mortar.

their two children, the house was starting to look a little tired around the edges and in need of some TLC. “The kitchen cupboards were falling off, the lock on the patio doors was broken and windows and doors needed replacing. We decided rather than fiddling around with repairs, we should bite the bullet

And having just been through the lockdown, Una is delighted they made the decision to update what they had, rather than move.

“The weather during the lockdown was so nice, it was a pleasure to open the doors wide and look out over our south facing garden,” she said.

“We overlook a woodland area but before we did the work, you couldn’t see it from the kitchen because the windows were too high.”

After two decades in their Waterlooville home, bringing up and really make the most of what we have got.

“In the original layout we had a family room next to the kitchen and a separate lounge. It was ridiculous that we used to find ourselves in the small family room because it was linked to the kitchen and we never used the lounge.

It was such a waste,” said Una. To help turn their ideas into a reality they enlisted the services of Joe Moser from the Design Team Studios.

“He got what we wanted to do straight away and I felt I could work with him, “ said Una.

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Joe explained: “The brief for this project was to create a large, open plan space for family living and entertaining.

“The property sits on a steeply sloping site which required careful design consideration.

“A full width single storey extension with sliding aluminium doors was added at the rear, with walk on roof lights facilitating the addition of a first floor terrace and throwing extra light into the new spaces. goes to a striking piece of artwork

by Southsea based street artist My Dog Sighs.

“I won the chance to commission My Dog Sighs when he auctioned off the opportunity to have a mural created in your home. He did it to raise money for his friend Samo

who

was

having

reconstruction surgery.

“I’ve always been a big fan of his work and the image fits in so perfectly with the house as it is now,” she said.

“The centrally placed kitchen became the hub of the home, with easy access to the existing utility room and exposed brick elements provided texture to the modern decor.”

Clearly delighted with the transformation of her home, Una said she loves how light and airy her home now feels and the fact they can fully appreciate the stunning views.

“It has given a new lease of life to our home which was stuck in the 80s. The space just works so well now,” said Una. Pride of place in the dining area

33

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WHAT’S ALL THIS I KEEP HEARING ABOUT FULL FIBRE – WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL…?

D

igital connectivity has become a hot button issue, not least as a result of Covid-19 and our overnight transition to online work and play. This has reinvigorated conversations about the need for greater investment in our digital networks, especially full fibre.

use the same network simultaneously without

Yet despite headline grabbing soundbites, few seem to fully grasp what ‘full fibre’ actually means. Currently much of the UK is using a legacy network that carries data over aging copper cables. Full fibre, on the other hand, uses fibre optic cables, which carry information at light speed, to connect each premises directly to the exchange.

IT’S NOT JUST A SPEED UPGRADE

HOW IS FULL FIBRE REALLY ANY DIFFERENT? Full fibre connections can deliver gigabit-capable speeds.

That’s a dramatic upgrade on what most people currently experience and makes all sorts of tasks much easier in terms of speeds and data handling. For example, it means that a modern household of homeworkers, school children and teenagers can all

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experiencing disruptions like buffering or lag. Full fibre networks are also more reliable than copper-based networks and cheaper to maintain and operate, which means fewer outages and greater reliability.

Genuine full fibre

networks offer genuinely transformative benefits. For example, research by Censuswide showed that 70% of respondents prioritised a good, reliable broadband connection when checking out a new home. Meanwhile a survey by Rightmove of more than 3,000 users found that information on broadband connectivity was ranked as a more important feature when searching for property than transport links and nearby schools.

SOUNDS GREAT, WHEN CAN I GET IT?

You can register

your interest in joining the gigabit revolution at cityfibre.com/your-street

35

THE CULTURE CRAFTY VULTURE Make do and mend – letting go of lockdown by Emma Beatty

A

nd we’re back; wending our way out of lockdown. I feel I’ve gone back in time over the past few months; learning to embrace my inner Miss Marple, with ever-greyer hair pinned up in a bun.

Part of me quite enjoyed finding ways to fill the time: queuing with a wicker basket, making tea in a teapot, drinking out of a cup and saucer, crocheting things out of lilac wool, painting watercolours of cats – and cycling along the seafront at a stately pace. I haven’t started pickling my own gherkins yet, or darning socks – but I feel it would only have been a matter of time.

Maybe it’s all an avoidance technique to blank out the daunting TV images, or perhaps it’s just a natural reaction to enforced domesticity.

The downsides are that I can’t offer you much useful advice about local culture, except to say – go to the seafront and Common and observe all human life at play. It’s brilliant now there are no cars on the seafront: Muscle men doing weights, Instagramming girls swinging kettle balls, elderly couples holding hands, dog walkers, electric-scooter boys, kite flyers, birthday picnic groups, middleaged men on hoverboards, ice cream stalls, coffee kiosks, fish and chips. Wild-flower patches, paddleboards, canoes, unicorn inflatables, jet skis, ferries, container ships, warships, hover crafts, sailing boats, speed boats, tugs. It’s glorious, my only dilemma on the daily walk being whether to head left to

36

Eastney or right to the Hot Walls.

But, just in case you might be interested, here are a few crafty picks for fellow Miss Marples on things that got me through a very long time spent inside.

The Great British Sewing Bee this amateur sewing competition lifts my spirits and inspires me to make my own clothes. I love the judges Patrick and Esme and all the contestants.

It’s the highlight of my week, and my secret grand ambition is to enter. (iPlayer and YouTube).

Grayson Perry’s Art Club Portsmouth Art School’s very own alumni, now an established art-world darling holding court in his dusty pottery studio, nattering to all manner of amateur artists, on a mission to keep the nation’s spirits up. Each week, I contemplated sending in a daub, but always chickened out. (All4).

The Big Flower Fights I love flowers and am a Vic Reeves superfan, so this combination is intriguing. Pairs of florists compete to make “floral sculptural fantasies” on a ridiculously grand scale. It’s bizarre but I binge-watched. (Netflix).

Money for nothing Sarah Moore, who has a workshop near Chichester, visits local dumps to retrieve faded sofas and unwanted chest of drawers. She renovates them in ingenious contemporary ways and then sells them on.

Strangely addictive viewing. I need to get a tool shed and workshop to really put this into action. (iPlayer).

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THOUGHTS ON COVID-19 FROM A PORTSMOUTH GP

20

20 will go down in history as ‘The year of COVID-19’. For many of us, life has changed beyond all recognition. It stopped the world in its tracks, and Portsmouth was no exception. We rapidly adjusted to lockdown – staying in our homes, only leaving for essential trips. Not seeing loved ones.

Missing special occasions: weddings, funerals, social gathering & holidays.

Football was cancelled. ‘Furlough’ became a common word, and parents became teachers overnight. Face masks and socially distanced queues became the norm.

do need to come into the surgery. We are limiting appointments, to allow for social distancing and cleaning between patients.

Staff are shielded behind reception and may be wearing face masks. Patients are encouraged to wear face coverings when they come into the building. Doctors may be in surgical scrubs and will be wearing masks, aprons, gloves and possibly face shields.

We are still advising patients to avoid attending unless they have a booked appointment or cannot deal with their query online or by telephone.

There are many questions about COVID-19. I will do my best to answer some of the most common queries that are asked:

HOW DO I GET TESTED FOR COVID-19?

As a local GP, I have experienced COVID-19 from a different perspective. I kept going to work, and my children stayed in school. As a practice, we continued to care for our patients throughout the pandemic, rapidly adjusting the way we work to limit face to face contact and keep staff and patients safe.

GPs now conduct most consultations by telephone, video, or online e-consultation via the practice website. In ‘normal times’, these technological advances would have taken years to implement. Staff and patients have, on the whole, adjusted well to this new way of working. It is not always a substitute for a face to face assessment, and some patients 38

Anyone (over the age of five) with symptoms is eligible for COVID-19 swab testing.

Symptoms include a fever over 37.8°C, a new, continuous cough or a change in taste/smell. Those with symptoms and family members should self-isolate until the result is available. To request a COVID-19 test, you can register online via www.NHS.uk and you will be contacted to book testing at the Tipner drive-through test centre. Home test kits can be sent out for those that cannot attend.

Blood antibody tests for COVID-19 can give an indication of past infection with the virus, but are not yet available to the general population. It is not yet clear how reliable these tests are, and whether the antibodies offer protection against future re-infection

WILL THERE BE A VACCINE FOR COVID-19?

Several

research

institutions

are

busy

developing and trialling a vaccine. Oxford University is currently recruiting volunteers nationwide for their study. The trial is designed to establish if the vaccine triggers an antibody response that protects an individual against contracting COVID-19.

WHAT IS THE ‘R’ NUMBER? The Reproduction (R) number is a way of measuring the spread of the virus. If the R number is kept below one, then each infected individual is, on average, spreading the virus to less than one person. This should ultimately lead to the disappearance of the virus. The R number published on June 12th was 0.8-1 in the South East of England and under 1 across the UK. There are also falling rates of new infections, hospital admissions and deaths.

The Government is basing many of its decisions on easing lockdown restrictions on the R number.

These are available on the GOV.UK website.

Further guidance will be published as more businesses re-open.

I love being a GP, and feel it is a privilege to do the job that I do. The public has shown such gratitude to the NHS, and I hope the respect shown will continue once the pandemic passes. I am grateful for the amazing team at TMGP, which has pulled together to continue to deliver excellent care for our Southsea patients during such a challenging time. We hope that some of the innovative new ways of working can continue, complementing the traditional way that we deliver patient care.

HOW LIKELY IS A ‘SECOND WAVE’?

No one can be sure, since this is a new virus.

It is very different to the influenza virus, a cause of previous pandemics in history, so scientists cannot predict how COVID-19 will behave. There have been small increases in the number of cases in China, Iran, and South Korea, but so far in Europe the numbers of people infected has continued to fall, despite restrictions being eased. For now, the advice is to continue to work from home if you can, wear face masks on public transport and in enclosed spaces, and maintain social distancing.

HOW CAN I WORK SAFELY DURING THE COVID19 PANDEMIC? The government has produced 8 guides covering a range of different types of work.

Dr Penny Wilson is a GP Partner at Trafalgar Medical Group Practice. www.trafalgarmedicalgrouppractice.co.uk She lives locally with her husband and two daughters.

39

SOUTHSEA GREEN

T

Vanessa Goldbert @vanessa_jayne_design

he Southsea Green garden may not be open to the public and full of visitors right now, but behind the gates it’s brimming with treasures and truly flourishing.

Recently the Met Office announced that May was the sunniest calendar month on record since June 1957. All this extra sunshine has not only provided our green spaces with energy for an abundance of

growth, but has seemingly powered all of us through these strange times.

Many of us may have found ourselves feeling a little deflated recently, and looking after our mental health has never been more important, so it’s vital we find moments to pause, drop in on ourselves and ask ‘how am I really feeling right now?’ With so much focus placed on happiness as the key, we often don’t allow space for the whole spectrum of emotion that makes us truly human. To feel it all, and hold it gently with kindness matters most. Green spaces allow us the physical space to breathe and find this mental space.

Right now they are flourishing. Maybe if we continue to nurture one space, the other will always follow. It’s never been clearer, Southsea is green and thriving.

Sales and Lettings

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Photo: Team Locals Media

Over the past few weeks and months, many of us have been enjoying our turquoise seas, clean air, and quieter streets.

We have been pleased at how quickly the homeless have been found accommodation and our community has worked tirelessly to protect the vulnerable. Have we witnessed a fleeting moment in our history, or do we now begin to seriously tackle climate change and the deep-seated inequalities in our society? How will we work in future and how can we best support local businesses. We asked leaders in various sectors to share their hopes and thoughts on how Portsmouth & Southsea might

TURN A CRISIS INTO AN OPPORTUNITY...

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ALISTAIR BELL: CHAIRMAN OF BELL MICROSYSTEMS Along with most business colleagues I speak with, I believe it has taken this crisis to make us appreciate the value of our lives; the value we can tangibly place on health, work-life balance, family, time and our location.

Recent evidence has shown that the time previously taken in travelling to meetings, using airports or trains, can now be used more efficiently by conducting meetings on Zoom or Teams. We no longer have to deal with the logistics of getting five people with different diaries into the same room.

Many of us are no longer taking our health or the infrastructure to support it for granted, the change in circumstances allowing us time to walk instead of using a car bringing obvious benefits.

How can Portsmouth benefit from the changes that are evident after the three month forced imposition on our working lives?

We live in a wonderful city; the coast is magnificent.

We need to appreciate what we have.

Moving forward, our intention is to vastly reduce our London office space and we have drawn up a rota for office departments to be in on different days, with provisions made for lunch or evening drinks so that the departments can spend time together.

As daily commuting is no longer a necessity, resulting effectively in a shorter working day, we can use this extra time and money otherwise spent in other cities’ restaurants to support our great local restaurants. The entertainment and hospitality sectors have been particularly hard hit, and we can help them restore their business.

Lastly, Portsmouth should position itself as a new Solent hub for business to operate in a technology enabled environment, a greater degree of communication fuelled by connectivity should be encouraged.

ANDREW GRIFFITHS: LEADERSHIP SPECIALIST & PARTNER AT STRENGTHS UNLEASHED “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking”. Albert Einstein. Emerging from this crisis with

42

energy and renewed optimism will require a different mindset. I believe passionately that our famous city can not only adjust to the ‘near normal’, but take on some of the big challenges we face to create a sustainable and vibrant city fit for the future. My leadership role brings me into contact with some of the world’s most innovative and original thinkers at Stanford University. It is incredibly exciting to be part of a team that is discovering the future for organisations, solving current problems and finding the next challenge.

We can do this in Portsmouth by thinking bold ideas with no limits on what we can achieve. If we can bring together people who represent every aspect of our city and work with creative confidence, we can build a sustainable future which everyone can be proud of. The exciting part of this is that everyone has a role to play, this is putting the community at the heart of our city, leveraging local people’s thoughts and ideas to reimagine the future. Leaders in successful organisations believe two things: ‘The future can be better than the present’, and ‘We have the power to make it so’…. I know Portsmouth can rise to this challenge.

FINOLA SLOYAN: PR CONSULTANT It only took a couple of months for the coronavirus to change our lives; it’s doubtful we’ll ever return to a preCOVID-19 world. Two innovative ideas providing solutions for the here and now caught my attention: 1. PAY IT FORWARD: consider paying forward for a service we are going to need in the future, thus helping small businesses to continue operating.

2. REDEFINING JOBS: It’s not just changing where we work, it’s also fundamentally altering what work is done and how we do it – shifting work, talent, and skills to where they are needed most. We’ve seen this with distillers pivoting from making spirits to anti-bacterial hand gel, fashion houses making surgical masks and gowns, finding solutions during uncertainty.

This can be a time of creativity for Portsmouth, with reimagining jobs around the constraints of today’s challenging business environment.

It’s important for businesses to keep the lines of communication open, regardless of the situation. When a Southsea restaurant adapted to the pandemic by offering a delivery service, I was happy to support it and also appreciated the message of

thanks for my support – this goes a long way. When instructors from our local gym found themselves without any source of income, we immediately signed up for virtual classes. As a community, we appreciate these services and the people giving them. Finally, World Environment Day was on 5th June: “these are exceptional times in which nature is sending us a message: To care for ourselves we must care for nature. It’s time to wake up, take notice, to raise our voices and to build back better for People and Planet.”

XR PORTSMOUTH: ENVIRONMENTALISTS During lockdown, nature has had a chance to restore itself – cleaner skies, clearer coastal waters, and more audible birdsong. The change in “business as usual” attitudes and the benefits for our ecosystems have been monumental. We have discovered new ways to shop, live, and entertain ourselves that put nature at less risk. This pandemic has taught us the importance of slowing down and being mindful in valuing the small things and our relationships with those around us.

We must extend this care and compassion to nature in Portsmouth, and all of our neighbours to build real societal change. The time for action is now. We have had enough and we say: no going back to our destructive way of life.

We advocate: Segregated cycle lanes encouraging safe commutes for both cyclists and pedestrians.

An increase in on-street secure bicycle parking & storage.

Education and information about environmentally friendly commuter options.

A commitment to reduction in dangerous pollutants such as CO2, NOx and others.

Establishing a Citizens’ Assembly so that voices all across Portsmouth are heard. XR Portsmouth are committed to working with the council to achieve this.

Developing a closer relationship with the other environmental groups in Portsmouth and the wider community. We believe this is how we make this recovery a success. XR is a peaceful and passionate movement trying to protect planet A: Because as you’ve probably heard - there’s no planet B: Let’s move forwards to a better future, for us, our children, and our planet.

JOANNA BUSHNELL: DIRECTOR OF ASPEX GALLERY I think it’s safe to say the world, the city, the environment

in which I work, will never be the same again, and nor should it. It would be a shame to go back to things the way they were pre-COVID-19, before the recent Black Lives Matter protests, ignoring the positive impact that staying home has had on the environment.

At Aspex we’ve been taking stock. After the initial shock of closing the gallery and all going home to continue working, we’ve started to consider how we can work differently. We are looking to make our work accessible to more people, by taking it into the public realm, or delivering it online. Later this summer, prior to reopening the gallery, we are going to launch a new project which we hope people, particularly teenagers and young adults can get behind and engage with, but it’s a little too soon for announcements just yet!

We are determined that concerns around diversity, access, and the environment don’t get sidelined while we turn our focus to the economic imperative, reviewing our business model and survival. It’s time to slow down, think and proceed in a more inclusive, sustainable and accessible way – to improve social justice. We are optimistic!

STEF NIENALTOWSKI: CEO OF SHAPING PORTSMOUTH I am delighted to have been asked to lead a group of talented and focussed leaders from across the city through Shaping Portsmouth’s Future Together, a new action group of key organisations in the city to help Portsmouth recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of us is totally committed to providing all the necessary help and support to enable our city recover from this crisis as quickly as possible. By joining forces we will avoid duplication, share knowledge, and better inform businesses and organisations of the help and support available to aid recovery. We want the city of Portsmouth to thrive in the future to the benefit of the whole community. The group aims to co-ordinate support, advice and funding, identify any skills shortages, and high-light opportunities to businesses, education providers, and the community. This spirit of collaboration, will use the goodwill in the city as a catalyst for economic – and by extension, community – recovery. It is made up of representatives from Shaping Portsmouth, Portsmouth City Council (including Deputy Leader Cllr. Steve Pitt), The News, Hampshire County Council, The Hive Portsmouth, Pompey in the Community, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, University of Portsmouth, Solent NHS, city care providers, Portsmouth Creates and Job Centre +.

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O

STREET SPACE

n 18 May, environmental groups across the city began the Pompey Street Space campaign (PSS) calling upon Portsmouth City Council to make the city safe for residents to walk, wheel, shop and cycle, while keeping two metres apart. “During the lockdown the number of residents walking and cycling rose greatly.

The cleaner air and more peaceful streets were a revelation to many people. It was a vision of how our city could be in future,” said a PSS spokesman. “As the lockdown has eased, the gover nment has advised against using public transport for people returning to work. This is one of the reasons traf fic levels are now higher, on some roads, than this time last year.

To avoid even worse congestion, air pollution, and road danger, it’s essential the council urgently facilitate alternative ways of travelling.” It would seem quite a few people agree, as the campaign’s petition has attracted 2,700 signatures so far. th

Meanwhile the council has bid for £192,000, available to them as part of the Department for Transport’s Emergency Active Travel Fund, which will help fund some road closures and cycle routes. PSS welcome this news, but are concerned that this provision will only benefit the south of the city–which would not enable families or commuters to travel safely and quickly from the 44

north of the city to Southsea by bicycle. “We appreciate these are difficult times financially, but what we are suggesting are inexpensive provisions, using paint, plastic, and planters,” said Rachel Hudson of Friends of the Earth.

“We also understand that Portsmouth is stuck in a number of vicious circles. Despite being a flat, compact city, we don’t have a strong cycling culture, mainly because there isn’t a joined up network of cycling routes, or secure bike storage facilities. Consequently, people use cars even for short journeys, which in turn causes congestion and makes bus travel slower, thus less popular and more expensive. We believe one of the ways this circle can be broken is by making it safer and more enjoyable for people to cycle or walk around the city.

We’d like to see a more ambitious scheme, which could also attract a further round of funding of £768,000,” said Nick Sebley, one of the organisers of the campaign.

In response, Steve Pitt, Deputy Head of Portsmouth City Council said, ”Earlier this year the Council passed its greenest ever budget and remains passionate about making our city a greener, safer and cleaner place to live. This is not without its challenges, but we are very happy to discuss all ideas with those groups who share our passion, and wherever practically possible, to work with them to put them into practice.”

Facebook @PompeyStreetSpace

Southsea Lifestyle

Helping local businesses grow for the past 15 years Independent practice since 1996 24hr Emergency Service Surgical theatre on site 34 Elm Grove • Southsea • Hants • PO5 1JG Tel: 02392 861122 • www.grove-vets.co.uk

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S 46

BACK IN BUSINESS

outhsea has a proud tradition of supporting it’s wonderful array of independent shops. Now more than ever they need our business. Here’s a small selection of shops and their owners. Please be aware that some shop opening times may vary.

The rainbow was provided by Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery

Southsea Models & Games

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Tango Tea

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RNC & RAYC GARYS GALLEY

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hilst the closure of Pubs, Restaurants and Clubs has presented a huge financial challenge to the hospitality industry the voyage that the Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club has been on during these times can only be described as adventurous!

The kitchens have also been busy with a home delivery service called Gary’s Galley.

The Head Chef Gary has been cooking at the club for twenty years and prior to this served in the Royal Navy for many years so changing course to switch from serving outstanding meals to Royalty, Admirals and Generals was something he took in his stride.

Not only has the front of this iconic building in Pembroke Road undergone a much needed makeover but internally much renovation work has been done to present a fantastic contemporary look without losing its rich heritage providing a wonderful venue for weddings and other private hire functions.

Head Chef Gary

The club Chairman Keith Toomey has been working ceaselessly to ensure that the reopening of the Club goes without a hitch, “I’m really excited to be welcoming the members and the public back to our new look club, in recent weeks we have booked three weddings and two anniversary parties for members of the public. The Club is proud to share its rich heritage and outstanding first floor sea views for private functions”.

Gary said: “Having overcome the initial challenges of ensuring the food was delivered to people’s home without losing any of its integrity we have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback and complimentary emails”. We have also been fortunate in working renowned local butcher Buckwell’s who have been supplying various items for our menus.

Gary’s Galley ordering and menu information can be found at www.garysgalley.com.

Royal Naval Club and Royal Albert Yacht Club 17 Pembroke Road Portsmouth PO1 2NT Tel: 023 9282 5924 Email: info@rnc-rayc.co.uk 49

CELEBRATING NURSING Kate Thompson

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outhsea based illustrator Alison Gardiner has created the perfect design to mark our appreciation for nurses through the ages.

The imagery, which depicts Florence Nightingale through to today’s modern nurse, was created as a result of a collaboration with the Florence Nightingale Museum in London which is based at St Thomas’s Hospital.

The museum commissioned the mugs and a range of other merchandise including bookmarks and tea towels to commemorate the bi-centenary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.

And while the design was conceived prior to the pandemic, the illustrations have taken on a poignancy owing to the extra special place in our hearts that nurses now have.

“Quite a few friends have bought the mugs for their mothers who were nurses, or for other family members connected to the nursing profession.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the people who are working in the NHS and the dedication they show. We have seen how nurses are affected by the plight of their patients and their families – they really care so much,” said Alison.

Her career as an illustrator has varied from

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greetings cards to textile designs and children’s books.

It was in 2000 that she became involved in not just designing but organising production when the National Trust commissioned her to design a range of mugs for one of their regions; this led to over 50 designs.

Since then Alison has worked with many companies and charities such as The Royal Collection, Highgrove, Canterbury C a t h e d r a l , Wo r l d Wildlife Foundation, RSPCA and RSPB to produce designs for a variety of products. All products are made in the UK, with the mugs made entirely in Stoke-on-Trent, the home of British pottery.

Sadly when the lockdown came the Florence Nightingale Museum had to close to comply with government restrictions, and plans to mark the bicentenary of the ‘Lady with the Lamp’ had to be shelved.

“I felt so sorry for the museum as they had so much planned for the bi-centenary celebrations.

“Anyone buying mugs from my website will see 5 per cent of the price going to the museum and a donation of 25 pence per mug to the NHS COVID-19 charity,” explained Alison.

To order a nursing mug go to www.alisongardiner.co.uk

Southsea Cycles 235-237 Albert Road, Southsea PO4 0JR

@southsea_cycles www.southsea-cycles.co.uk Tel: 023 9229 7549 51