Winchester Today - February 2019

February 2019 ISSUE 048

www.winchestertoday.co.uk

48 ARRESTS IN COUNTY DRUGS OPERATION ‘Fortress Plan’ sees nearly £30k of drugs seized

By KEVIN GOVER News Editor HAMPSHIRE Constabulary has joined forces with other agencies in an intense national week of action to tackle ‘County Lines’ drug dealing.

This is the name given to drug dealing which involves organised crime groups from urban centres expanding their drug dealing activity to smaller towns and rural areas. Dealers typically use a single phone line to facilitate the supply of drugs which becomes a valuable

asset and is protected with violence and intimidation.

Over £12,000 in cash was also recovered in the action led by the National Crime Agency. Officers from Hampshire executed warrants, stop searched, conducted safeguarding visits, and worked with local schools to raise awareness of this method of drug supply.

The force worked proactively with partners at the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit and British Transport Police, targeting and

The week of action has been hugely successful

disrupting those involved in ‘County Lines’ drug dealing. Officers also went to the Isle of Wight Ferry terminals with drugs dogs to check passengers travelling between the Isle of Wight and the mainland. The officers say they’re working hard to ensure Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is a hostile environment for those seeking to profit from drugs.

The operational activity in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight was led by Superintendent Matthew Reeves: “This

Michael Frayn’s help for charity page 5

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GUESTS AT THE COMMONS

Described by our MP Steve Brine as ‘lovely’ - the children of Itchen Abbas Primary School are pictured here as special visitors at the Palace of Westminster.

They were well wrapped up as it was one of the coldest days of the winter so far! Any school wishing to go should visit www.stevebrine.com/ visitingwestminster

39 Steps leaves them laughing page 11

Coogan and Reilly’s Stan and Ollie page 13

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February 2019

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Sometimes you need to stick your neck out and say something is wrong, just plain wrong. One of these scenarios is where school playing fields are taken out of use and then built upon.

I have to travel to London on occasion, and over the past few months have noticed how a splendid (and huge) green school playing space has slowly been eaten up by an equally huge monstrosity of a building far too big and oppressive for the space it occupies. I’m of the mind that I think it’s a scandal that this kind of thing happens and is allowed to happen despite any objection there may be. I despise this hideous building and everything it’s taken away from young people

who want to put their jumpers down for goalposts.

When I took copies of the newspaper round to Kings’ School for distribution, I was overawed by the playing fields that stretched out before me. Yes, Kings’ is lucky when it comes to having these facilities and long may it continue.

During the summer, I went to my old school in Bath, Beechen Cliff School. This has an area of playing and sports fields which even surpasses Kings’. Rugby pitches, tennis courts, football and cricket. I was pleasantly surprised that not an inch has been taken away in the 40 years since I left.

Ian Pickles is Business Manager for Kings’ School: “The school is

A splendid green playing space has been slowly eaten up very fortunate in having excellent playing fields which allow year round use for all sports. Rugby and football fixtures dominate on the field in the winter and are then superseded by cricket and athletics in the summer.

“Our artificial cricket crease, built to Lords Cricket Club

standard, provides a first class surface for cricketers of all standards. Hockey can be played all year round using our artificial surface.

“Having green spaces around the school is not just important for sport. The fields are enjoyed by all during summer lunchtimes and our wooded area is used as a nature reserve.

“Having access to such great facilities is important for the wellbeing of all our pupils and staff, benefitting their mental as well as physical health. At a time when playing fields and green spaces across the nation are we under such pressure, we as a school, count our blessings.”

Kevin Gover

ABOUT US

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n EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • Kevin Gover kevin@winchestertoday.co.uk n CONTRIBUTORS • David Cradduck • Drew White • Gavin Harris • Rachel Gover • Helena Gomm • John Ellery • Chrissie Pollard • Freya Storey • Eleanor Marsden • Chris Book • Edyth Miles • Richard Horsman • Simon Newman Richard Horsman portrait by Chris Eastham n LAYOUT DESIGN • Jon Heal Winchester Today Media Partner to Winchester Film Festival and Bishop’s Waltham Festival

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An endangered habitat: Rugby and netball being played on the impressive Kings’ playing fields and (above) grounds in Beechen Cliff School, Bath – the editor’s own school

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February 2019

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READY FOR ANY FREEZE Hampshire highway team working round the clock WITH temperatures officially falling to minus 6 in Winchester recently, the County Council’s highways teams have worked round the clock to make sure the roads are prepared and ready to respond.

Rob Humby (pictured) is responsible for Environment and Transport in the county: “Our winter fleet is salting the main roads continuously now. We have 43 salting lorries and each route takes about three hours to complete.”

Highways crews salt Hampshire’s main roads first. These ‘Priority one’ routes cover approximately one third of the county road network and carry the majority of Hampshire’s traffic.

They cover A roads, some B roads, major bus routes, roads to hospitals and other key emergency hubs, large schools and colleges, areas of high traffic concentration and public transport interchanges.

During periods of prolonged severe weather, ‘Priority two’ routes, which include remaining B roads and single access roads to villages, may also be treated, if they can keep the main roads clear and open. Maps of priority gritting routes can be found at: https://maps. hants.gov.uk/highwayssaltroutes Across Hampshire there are more than 3,000 blue or yellow bins filled with salt and/or grit for use by the community on

Our winter fleet is salting the main roads continuously now public roads and pavements.

For more information about where these grit bins are, how to get them topped up, or how to report a damaged or missing grit bin visit the County Council’s web pages.

Follow the County Council’s ‘gritter twitter’ @HantsHighways to find out when and where the salting lorries are going out, throughout winter.

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February 2019

MAN WITH A

PLAN EVERY now and again here in Winchester Today, we bring you the background to people who can really make a difference. This month, meet Mike Evans from Winchester Water Softeners. He’s on a mission to rid your life of hard water - especially those who’ve moved here from a soft water area and who just can’t cope with the sudden change.

Winchester Water Softeners was created in 2005 by the respected Rod Adams, who had over forty years experience in the water industry. Rod retired in early 2018 and Mike took over the business. Mike worked for Rod and also Harvey Water Softeners based in Woking in Surrey, and has installed in excess of 1200 water softeners in the last five years alone.

Mike originally started as an engineer working for the Royal Navy many years ago and has travelled the world extensively. Returning to the UK full time in 2002, Mike stayed in the marine

Less scale and scum means fewer cleaning products are needed

industry until 2012 when he was offered an unbeatable deal by Harvey Water Softeners and was converted immediately as to what a water softener can do for you and your home.

Even though the company is called Winchester Water Softeners, he’s been installing water softeners all over Hampshire as well as Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire and West Sussex. He’s even travelled over to East Sussex too.

So, what are the benefits of soft water and how does it work? Well, that’s easy as the device just goes under your sink.

Mike says the first difference you will see is in your home. It will look ‘shiny’, with less limescale on kitchen and bathroom surfaces. There won’t be any residue left behind on glassware and crockery, and cleaning time around the home will be reduced.

On a personal level, how about glossier hair, especially if you want a lifetime solution to bad hair days? Softened water lathers better with products and hair will be softer, shinier and more manageable.

How about softer skin? More lather means you can use fewer abrasive products on skin. Simple soaps produce as much lather as bubble baths and there is no residue left on the skin.

You’ll also end up using fewer products. Less scale and scum means fewer cleaning products are needed, and softened water lathers better, so less of the personal product is needed there too.

You’ll also find your appliances will last longer. With no hard water running through your appliances there will be no scale which can fur up heating elements.

Appliances will become more efficient and last longer.

How about cheaper bills? Pipes descale over time, making your hot water system more efficient. Fewer products throughout the home will save you money and your appliances will last longer.

And - how about bigger bubble baths?

Less scum means more bubbles!

If you would like to talk to Mike about ridding your house of the scourge of hard water, there are a variety of ways: www.winchesterwatersofteners.net sales@winchesterwatersofteners.net 01962 458123 07881 272746

You’ll also find your appliances will last longer

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February 2019

Celebrated Author Helps Winchester Charity … and not a sardine in sight, as Kevin Gover notes...

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by Richard Horsman

Time for a reboot

I don’t know about you, but the play-within-a-play Noises Off is surely one of the funniest things to have ever graced the British stage. The late 1980s version by Romsey’s RAODS remains the funniest and slickest production I have ever seen (and there have been quite a few around here!)

And so it was that playwright and novelist Michael Frayn entertained a packed Guildhall audience with memories of his life and work in conversation with John Miller. The evening was held in aid of Home-Start Winchester.

Michael Frayn’s first foray into writing was for the Cambridge Footlights Revue which was a flop. However his

Going to the flicks isn’t what it used to be. It was about ‘going to see a film’. Now it’s ‘having the cinema going experience’. And my local multiplex offers quite the experience.

There are, apparently, only two human beings on the premises. Sharon, who mugs me for half a week’s wages on the popcorn stall, and Darren who stands at the top of the escalator and checks my print-at-home ticket before letting me loose in a complex roughly the size of Wembley stadium.

You’re not supposed to sneak out of one auditorium when the credits start, go to the loo and return to another, but … I’m pretty sure there are gangs of feral youth in there who bought a ticket to Finding Dory in 2016 and haven’t left since, surviving on the sugar rush from dropped M&Ms and minerals from free condiments liberated from the hot dog stand overnight.

There’s an eerie blue glow on the faces of the patrons that’s nothing to do with the silver screen. Rather it’s the reflected second screen of constant social media interaction, whilst highly-paid actors emote, barely acknowledged, in the distance. If you don’t Insta it, were you even there?

To be fair it’s not that much better at the posh art house. We’ve got one of those too, trying too hard to be retro, the whole place scented with patchouli and intellectual snobbery.

Someone thought it was a good idea to serve warm beer and cold pizza at seats shaped like sofas, whilst the punters try to decipher unintelligible dialogue mumbled at them in a strange language. If I want that I can experience it round at my mate Trev’s house for free, rather than paying thirty quid to sit in a ‘studio’ with a screen that’s basically a big telly.

As for the films themselves, I’m getting a distinct sense of deja vu. They’re all remakes.

Or sequels. Or prequels. In ‘universes’ which mean it’s the same film again, but different. That trick’s as old as Hollywood of course. At least you knew where you were with Son of Lassie Rides Again.

Toy Story 4 is out this year. By now Andy is surely onto his second divorce, having a midlife crisis, ordering Just Eat takeaway from Pizza Planet and trying to hook up on Grindr with anyone called Buzz. I do have a sneaking admiration for the producers of Mamma Mia – Here We Go Again though, and 102 Dalmatians gets 7/10 for effort. Bravo.

The Disney franchise crying out for a reboot has to be Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

It combines all the necessary themes for a 21st century audience. Look at the major plot device for a start – it’s an Apple. Snow White’s clearly a millennial, so her re-imagined retinue can portray the attributes of the major influences in her online life; Facebook, Twitter, Tinder, Instagram, Etsy, Linked In and so on. So we end up with Snowflake and the Seven E-Dwarves – Schmaltzy, Shouty, Raunchy, Pouty, Mumsy, Boastful and Dot (com).

Look me in the eye and say that

Peerless: Michael Frayn in conversation (top) and signing his many novels

He preferred writing colums than capturing life as a reporter second - Sour Grapes about a couple who return to Venice for their anniversary was a hit - although it was deemed too filthy as a baby’s nappy was changed on stage.

His first job was on the Manchester Guardian and The Observer, where he much preferred writing columns than capturing life as a reporter. His first novel was written while he was still at The Guardian and, having asked a friend to read it, they declared that the first ten pages were quite good but the next 300 were appalling.

“Of course,” says Michael, “a novel is three times as long as a play but plays and novels are like life.” When once asked why he wrote farces he declared that in Noises Off - heralded by The New York Times as a “spectacularly funny,

There’s an eerie blue glow on the faces of the patrons that’s nothing to do with the silver screen

peerless backstage farce” - it was true to life. Indeed the daily struggles and stratagems that we have to deploy in our own lives is reflected in the chaotic machinations of the team attempting to stage a play.

Michael’s play Copenhagen deals with a meeting during the war between the Danish physicist Niels Bohr and the German Werner Heisenberg. Denmark was under German occupation at the time and Heisenberg was believed to be working on the development of an atomic bomb. Michael confessed he had to grapple with the world of quantum physics which he found difficult but the scientific community were helpful in their advice and suggested where he might like to make changes in the text.

Another relationship of great historic import was captured in his play Democracy between the German chancellor Willy Brandt and his personal assistant, the East German spy Günter Guillaume. It was during his National Service that Michael learned Russian at the Joint Services School for Linguists and he is now regarded as the foremost translator of the works of Chekov.

Michael is married to Claire Tomalin who accompanied him to the Guildhall talk, which was followed by a book signing. Audience members happily queued for signed copies of his many novels.

With thanks to Sue Gentry

I’m fed up with rudeness.

I was brought up with the idea that it costs nothing to be nice, and that people are more likely to remember you in a positive light if you remember to say please and thank you. That’s rather been forgotten in the information age, when with everyone screaming for attention, the prime objective is to be noticed no matter what.

Changes to the language haven’t helped in this regard. The only proper response to “Can I get a Coke?” is surely that, well, actually I was going to bring you one Sir, but if Sir insists, Sir will find them on the second shelf down in the fridge. Knock yourself out.

The biggest worry is in political debate.

Whatever side you’re on you don’t have the monopoly on righteousness, and the other side are not unambiguous idiots.

Brexit is a contentious issue which has divided our nation like no other debate of my lifetime.

Alone on a keyboard, it’s very easy to let fly with hurtful language; it’s so much more difficult face to face

Right now, I’m worried about what it’s doing to modes of behaviour in everyday life, however the drama plays out. Somehow, soon, we’re going to have to start talking to each other again, but with all the insults and acrimony flying around I’m not sure how that’s going to be possible.

Or maybe I do have an idea. Let’s go down to the pub.

Alone on a keyboard, it’s very easy to let fly with hurtful language; it’s so much more difficult face to face. Not only because of the effect this has on the person you’re attacking, but also because those on your own side are more likely to step in to urge a bit of restraint.

I’m a big fan of an idea known as Politics in the Pub. Think karaoke, but with controversial ideas. A couple of invited speakers give arguments for and against the topic of the day. Maybe ten minutes each. Then, instead of questions from the floor, people break into groups round tables in smaller groups, arguing the toss for and against with a pint in hand.

Strangely enough these events are generally quite civil, because it is actually possible to disagree without resorting to abuse. Play the ball, not the athlete. It’s unlikely many people will change their minds, but they go out into the night with a human respect for someone with a different outlook. Or at the very least, they’ve enjoyed a pint or two on a wet Wednesday, and been made to think about what they actually believe.

My proposal is quite simple. With this year’s Council Tax, send a couple of vouchers for a free pint (or a shandy) at the High Street pub of your choice on Politics in the Pub night. Generate a bit of footfall for our brilliant local hostelries, start the conversation. Might actually begin to heal the wounds from the last two and a half years of bitter recriminations.

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February 2019

Squirt and Squidge

Time and tide wait for no mum!

Freya Storey continues to share her life as a mum-of-two IT’S the beginning of the year and I had already began to feel stressed. After the leisurely, indulgent and magical time that is Christmas (my most favourite time of year - I must add) life was back and running at full pelt. The rush to get all the kids to the right places in the morning, while trying to make myself presentable and grab more importantly, that vital cup of COFFEE. The rush to pick the kids up, make dinner, then make OUR dinner then do more work and then sleep. 3 weeks in and just reading this makes me feel exhausted.

So… do you know what I did? I got up half an hour earlier and it made SO much difference. I now have 30 mins (unless a little sleep thief isn’t playing ball) of quiet time, just for me. I’m not waking up in a rush with my mind whirring about the amount of things I’ve got to get done, I’m not waking up to the demands of squirt or squidge shouting ‘MUUUUMMMY!’. I wake up and have a leisurely shower and make a cup of coffee and feel altogether a more pleasant human being.

Sure, the first couple of times hurt. I LOVE my bed and was the master of 3 snoozes in the morning, but I think it’s going to make a difference. Maybe I’ll be so awake soon I’ll be able to trust myself with a blender to make some yummy

Maybe I’ll be so awake soon I’ll be able to trust myself with a blender

YOU CAN READ PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF FREYA’S BLOG AT SQUIRTANDSQUIDGE.COM

juices too.

Another thing that has been pricking at my conscience for some reason is that time is precious. I have always been somewhat of a procrastinator and that alongside being a big dreamer, can lead I have discovered to BIG frustrations. So I’m making this the year of DOING - as soon as I find myself drifting off to the land of procrastination I’m going to give myself a big metaphorical ‘slap on the chops’ and keep going.

Phones I’ve come to find for me are a big fat waste of time. I miss precious time with my kids by looking at them, I miss cherished time with my husband by not looking into his eyes when we’re together.

So I’ve discovered that my phone comes with a clever device that tells you your daily screen time and keeps telling it to you every time you go to pick up your phone - I take note of this and try and get that time down each week.

For me - and I don’t know why because I’m not particularly materialistic - it’s really helping me think of time as money. Am I spending my money on what’s important? Am I saving enough time for those most cherished experiences. Am I making the most of all my time and spending it the right way?

Time IS precious - and this year I feel the need to exhaust it.

Your very own Mary Poppins Following her recent interview with Dominique Tillen, Alresford mum and Founder of ‘Brush-Baby’ dental range, Freya Storey catches up with another mumpreneur to find out about her successful business venture IF like me, you were enamoured over Christmas by viewings of Mary Poppins – you may have been left wondering… “if only she existed!”

Well she does! Meet Danielle MantonKelly, the modern day Mary Poppins, as elegant and beautiful and an absolute whizz when it comes to dealing with little darlings.

At just 28, Danielle has achieved a lot – she begun her career as a nanny, working for many a high spec client in and around London. She then trained to become a primary school teacher and taught at various schools, before starting her own little tribe of 3 girls.

Since becoming mum, Danielle decided setting up on her own would give her the best ‘family/work life balance.’ She began childminding and grew a highly successful company, before she got itchy feet once more and came up with the ingenious idea of ‘Wedding Crecherz.’

It’s a bespoke childcare and children’s entertainment service that allows children to be looked after by a team of fully qualified and fun individuals while their associated adult can relax and enjoy the event that is unfolding around them.

Creches can be themed and you can be sure no ask is too much for this Nanny – she has been found making guest appearances as Disney characters on many occasions.

Operating across Hampshire, London and Surrey the team are currently seeking fresh talent to join them. If you are interested in finding out about any of the various roles head over to www.theweddingcrecherz.com.

Bespoke: Danielle Manton-Kelly, Founder and Director of the Wedding Crècherz

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February 2019

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A JANUARY SUPERMOON FOR HAMPSHIRE The night sky has been a delight to watch in recent weeks. Not only have Jupiter and Venus lined up alongside the Moon to form a spectacular looking like it was something out of ‘2001’ - but the Moon itself took centre stage last month.

A total lunar eclipse occurred on 21 January. The Moon was near its perigee on this date and as such can be described as a ‘supermoon’.

Simon Newman captured the lunar eclipse perfectly for us when the clouds above Hampshire managed to stay away, including the deep red at moment of totality.

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Since 2005 Winchester Water Softeners have been on a mission to rid your life of hard water and have installed over 1200 water softeners in the last five years alone.

What are the benefitS of Soft Water? n Shiny kitchen and bathroom surfaces. n No residue left behind on glassware and crockery, and cleaning time around the home will be reduced n Glossier hair and softer skin n Less scale and scum means fewer cleaning products are needed n Appliances last longer n Cheaper bills - hot water systems are more efficient. Fewer products throughout the home will save you money and your appliances will last longer.

For more information about ridding your house of hard water, contact Mike:

www.winchesterwatersofteners.net sales@winchesterwatersofteners.net 01962 458123 • 07881 272746

week of action has been hugely successful from our perspective. A number of officers and staff have come together to target county lines which present the greatest threat, risk and harm to our communities. This is work we continue as everyday business.

“County Lines isn’t isolated to large UK cities, this is a real issue which is affecting Hampshire along with other areas in the country.

“It’s not only the obviously vulnerable who are groomed for county lines. Young people from all backgrounds have been groomed for transporting and dealing drugs.

This type of criminality needs a partnership approach, including our communities “This type of criminality needs a partnership approach, including our communities. I would urge anyone who is concerned about someone who may be involved in this activity to contact us or one of our partners. We continue to work with our colleagues in education, social care, transport networks and charities among others to tackle this issue in collaboration.”

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Southey is from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit: “We are working hard, alongside partner agencies and our colleagues in Hampshire Constabulary

to identify and target the most serious offenders in County Lines drugs supply gangs.

“Those involved in County Lines networks not only exploit the most vulnerable people in society, but their criminality has a wide and far-reaching effect across society.“Drugs supply isn’t something we will tolerate in the South East, and we are determined to bring those involved to justice.”

Collaboration: Superintendent Matthew Reeves led operational activity in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight

FORCE WIDE RESULTS n 48 arrests made (29 men and six women). n 198 grams of suspected crack cocaine seized (street value approximately £12,700) n 147 grams of suspected heroin seized (street value approximately £14,700) n 187 grams cannabis seized (street value approximately £1,200) n Total drugs seized have an approximate street value of £28,600 n £12,230 cash seized n One suspected Taser and two knives seized

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February 2019

TWIST AND SHOUT!

“Sure, there’s moments of drama - but none of the discord this project has long been associated with. Watching John, Paul, George, and Ringo work together, creating now-classic songs from scratch, is not only fascinating - it’s funny, uplifting and surprisingly intimate. I’m thrilled and honoured to have been entrusted with this remarkable footage making the movie will be a sheer joy.”

Jackson will be working with his They Shall Not Grow Old partners, Producer Clare Olssen and Editor Jabez Olssen.

The footage will be restored by Park Road Post of Wellington, New Zealand, to a pristine standard, using techniques

A new Beatles film is on the way!

APPLE Corps Ltd. and WingNut Films Ltd. have told us they’re proud to announce an exciting new collaboration between The Beatles and the acclaimed Academy Award winning director Sir Peter Jackson. The new film will be based around 55 hours of never-released footage of The Beatles in the studio, shot between January 2nd and January 31st, 1969.

These studio sessions produced The Beatles’ Grammy Award winning album Let It Be, with its Academy Award winning title song. The album was eventually released 18 months later in May 1970, several months after the band had broken up.

The filming was originally intended for a planned TV special, but organically turned into something completely different, climaxing with The Beatles’ legendary performance on the roof of Apple’s Savile Row London office — which took place exactly 50 years ago.

Peter Jackson is understandably quite excited: “The 55 hours of never-beforeseen footage and 140 hours of audio made available to us, ensures this movie will be the ultimate ‘fly on the wall’

It’s simply an amazing historical treasure-trove Remarkable: Peter Jackson (left) had access to 55 hours of unseen footage

experience that Beatles fans have long dreamt about - it’s like a time machine transports us back to 1969, and we get to sit in the studio watching these four friends make great music together.”

Although The Beatles were filmed extensively during the 1960s - in

concerts, interviews and movies - this is the only footage of any note that documents them at work in the studio.

The Let It Be album and movie, having been released in the months following The Beatles’ breakup, have often been viewed in the context of the struggle the

band was going through at that time.

“I was relieved to discover the reality is very different to the myth,” says Jackson, “After reviewing all the footage and audio that Michael Lindsay-Hogg shot 18 months before they broke up, it’s simply an amazing historical treasure-trove.

developed for the WW1 documentary film which has been nominated for a BAFTA for best documentary.

The untitled film is currently in production and the release date will be announced in due course. This film is being made with the full co-operation of Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon, and Olivia Harrison.

preview

February 2019

BEST OF BALLET COMES TO THE ANVIL Three masterpices brought by superb Russian company SWAN LAFE LA FIILE MAL GARDÉE THE NUTCRACKER The Anvil 25/26/27 February

THE Russian State Ballet of Siberia, accompanied by The Russian State Ballet Orchestra, perform three of the very best ballets at The Anvil - Swan Lake on Monday 25 February, La Fille mal gardée on Tuesday 26 February, and The Nutcracker on Wednesday 27 February.

Swan Lake is one of the greatest romantic ballets of all time, brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all. From Odile, the temptress in black tutu as she seduces the Prince by spinning with captivating precision, to the spellbound purity of the swan queen Odette as she flutters with emotional intensity. The dual role of Odette/Odile is one of ballet’s most unmissable technical challenges.

La Fille mal gardée remains one of the oldest ballets still regularly performed. A gentle tale of love thwarted, unrequited and found, and a masterpiece of comedy.

With plenty of ribbons, romance and rivalry, La Fille mal gardée conjures up

The dual role of Odette/ Odile is one of ballet’s most unmissable technical challenges a world of pastoral simplicity where a farm boy woos a flirty farmer’s daughter and they find inventive ways to avoid her mother. Complete with virtuoso pas de deux, maypole and clog dances, this classic ballet will send you home happy.

The Nutcracker is the most famous of fantasy ballets and begins as night falls on Christmas Eve. As snowflakes fall outside, the warm glow of the open fire sends flickering shadows across the boughs of the Christmas tree and all the

presents beneath. When midnight strikes we are swept away to a fairy-tale world where nothing is quite as it seems: toy dolls spring to life literally off the set, the Mouse-king and his mouse-army battle with the Nutcracker Prince, and we travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins...

Formed in 1981, the Russian State Ballet of Siberia has established itself as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies and has built an international reputation for delivering performances of outstanding quality and unusual depth. The soloists and corps de ballet are superb, and never fail to delight audiences with their breath-taking physical ability and dazzling costumes.

Tickets for the Russian State Ballet are priced at £42.50, £37.50 and £35; under 16s pay £20; over 65s and f/t students get £3 off (excluding top ticket price).

(All tickets include £3 booking fee.)

winchestertoday.co.uk 9

Since 2005 Winchester Water Softeners have been on a mission to rid your life of hard water and have installed over 1200 water softeners in the last five years alone.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOFT WATER? n Shiny kitchen and bathroom surfaces. n No residue left behind on glassware and crockery, and cleaning time around the home will be reduced n Glossier hair and softer skin n Less scale and scum means fewer cleaning products are needed n Appliances last longer n Cheaper bills - hot water systems are more efficient. Fewer products throughout the home will save you money and your appliances will last longer.

For more information about ridding your house of hard water, contact Mike:

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reviews

February 2019

winchestertoday.co.uk 11

39 STEPS TO AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT Kevin Gover has a wonderful Burns Night in West Meon - unexpected events and all THE 39 STEPS West Meon Theatre – Village Hall 25 January 2019

AHA! Burns Night! What an apt evening then to be whisked off to the Highlands in this comedy version of the Hitchcock film/John Buchan novel.

Murder, attempted murder, alleged spies, laughs galore – and even an unexpected appearance from the South Central Ambulance Service all played a part in this splendid evening.

As you will know from one of my reviews a few years ago, the Cheriton Players are ever so slightly bonkers. But team up a couple of their leading lights with those of the West Meon Theatre and they’re all absolutely barking mad.

The Director Helena Gomm told me that those who live outside the Village Hall had never heard such raucous laughter from there before.

This boy-meets-girl-is-he-a-spyor-not story has plenty of dark and poignant moments. But there are plenty of laughs every minute too as our hero/ villain Richard Hannay (Charlie Hellard) goes on the run to Scotland after being accused of murder in Portland Place.

I loved ‘Mr Memory’ – thank yoooooooo. I loved how the men (David Cradduck, Stuart Forsyth and Glynn Williams) went in and out of 50 characters in as many minutes.

There were also very strong performances from Fi Beresford and Becky James who are both well-known to West Meon audiences.

I also loved the scenes on the ‘train’ – do you remember how the old compartments were so small that you were in everyone’s face the moment you all stood up? Superb!

There were running jokes throughout, particularly with the street light (below), escaping through window panes, and even a ventriloquist’s dummy (David Cradduck) which had us all laughing our backsides off.

Everyone carried on, picking up from the moment the show stopped It’s amazing what you can do with a ladder – how you can even make it look like the front end of a biplane.

We had back projected images of the police chase… and four chairs became a car... and a sheep. All very inventive.

Then we had an unexpected scenario where a member of the audience became ill and the whole thing ground to a halt for 40 minutes.

It was certainly the first “Is there a doctor in the house?” moment for many of us there, and everyone acted calm and professionally. For those of you who were understandably worried, the director Helena Gomm reported: “Last night’s casualty was monitored in the ambulance for several hours and then discharged.

He spent the night with his family and went home this morning. I went round to see his daughter and she says he is fine and she will pass on everyone’s best wishes.”

I’m sure that everyone there will applaud the speed with which the South Central Ambulance Service got there and then set up a mini-hospital in the car park.

How everyone carried on (to huge applause) to finish, picking up from the moment the show stopped was incredible.

A great show – which did go on!

Thank yoooooooooo…

Splendid: The cast creating laughs galore, and (right) Director Helena Gomm celebrates Images: Craig Robertson

BEHIND THE SCENES

Bringing ideas to the stage, and how the show must go on!

AND so it did - you’ll read above about how the production of The 39 Steps at West Meon Village Hall unexpectedly ground to a halt due to illness.

It could happen to anyone, and professional help was soon on hand.

But what’s it like when something like that happens? Director Helena Gomm talks about how everyone tried to pick themselves up and carry on.

let alone in a small Hampshire village hall. So I think it’s a collusion, between the actors and the audience. We’re all in on the joke! And so, okay, how are they going to pull this off? How are they going to do that? And by doing that, the audience has been very supportive.

They’ve been pushing us along the way, and I think that really… they come prepared to laugh.

Some of the front of house staff said they’d never heard so much laughter coming out of the hall. They couldn’t wait to see what it is that’s making the audience laugh. They haven’t been sneaking in the back, they don’t know what’s going on.

Helena: I thought the actors were really professional, in a way that they were able to pick it up from where they left off and just keep going with the same energy and commitment that they’d shown in the first half. So I was absolutely thrilled.

They are super, super professionals.

Kevin: Up until that happened, it was so funny, I was laughing my backside off!

What makes the play so funny, do you think?

Helena: I think it’s a kind of conspiracy between the audience and the actors on stage, that none of this should really be possible. There’s the Forth Bridge, a train chase, a plane crash, there’s yomping across the Moors being chased by blood hounds. All of which you’d be hard pushed to do on the London stage,

I was absolutely thrilled. They are super, super professionals

Kevin: And it’s simple things, isn’t it?

Like ladders being held horizontally.

Helena: Yes! You can do so much with ladders. All sorts of things. I like to add little props – did you notice the Sheriff ’s tea cosy? And tartan bagpipes.

It took a while to knit that! But I think it’s worth it, even for a 30 second gag.

I think that’s what my policy throughout was. Yeah, it’s only a 30 second gag but it’s worth doing. And because they are a really good acting team, you can have fun. With people who are slow to learn

their lines or just don’t get it, you’re right up until the dress rehearsal, you’re just labouring the lines and you’re trying to get them to get it.

But when they get it from the word go and they know what you’re aiming at, then you can have a lot of fun because you can start introducing extra bits for them to deal with, and say it’ll be nice if you did this.

I have to say that they have come up with a lot of ideas themselves. They are very inventive, they ask if we can try doing this. I say, if it works it works. Or “can I wear this?”, yeah if you can get it off in time to get the next costume on, I hadn’t thought about that. They have contributed an awful lot themselves.

Kevin: You bought Cheriton and West Meon actors together…

Helena: I did.

Kevin: Did you deliberately want to do that? How did this work?

Helena: I did, yes. It worked very well.

Three of them act regularly on the Cheriton stage. Of those, one of them actually lives in West Meon. He acts for everyone! I think it’s nice to cross pollinate occasionally. I think it was nice

for the Cheriton people to see a different way of doing it and have a bigger stage and to have better access.

I often think in Cheriton productions, the sofa is actually one of the characters!

On our set, you’ll notice it was all furniture on castors which got wheeled in and wheeled off. I like the fact you could use the same piece several times.

Hannay’s chair at the beginning is also the chair he sleeps in at the crofter’s cottage, and it’s also the chair that the professor comes in on. The hotel reception desk was also the lectern for the political rally. It’s actually quite a challenge and quite a joy to find multiple uses for all of the bits of kit we’ve got. And we have got some things which we don’t need, we could have something smaller here or some things aren’t actually adding anything except an enormous trial for the wonderful backstage people to get it on and off, so we’ll axe that and get something else. It’s been quite experimental!

Kevin: Well done anyway!

Helena: thank you!

Kevin: I’ve not laughed at anything for quite some time, you know?

reviews

12 winchestertoday.co.uk

February 2019

REVENGE BEYOND THE IRON CURTAIN A packed Everyman enjoys an award-winning post Cold War drama

NO-ONE Dir. Lev Prudkin and Vladimir Prudkin

Everyman Cinema, Winchester 29 January

YOU’VE got to hand it to the Winchester Film Festival… the only ones brave enough to show Detainment which is now up for an Academy Award… more and more films were shown at events around the city… and here, at the Everyman Cinema, a chance to see another award-winning film on the big screen!

No-One is co-directed by Lev Prudkin and Vladimir Prudkin. The film premiered at the 40th Moscow International Film Festival on April 23, 2018. It was awarded Best Cinematography and Best Feature Film at Vienna Independent Film Festival, and Best Feature Film here at the Winchester Film Festival. The Everyman was packed, and Lev Prudkin himself was here to answer questions and introduce the film: “Give it time!” was his main message.

No-One explores events that happen in Crimea during the collapse of the Soviet Union… although they’re not necessarily related to the coup happening back in Moscow.

It’s a family revenge story where the main character is a talented and artistically gifted KGB general who has no illusions about the world he belongs to. He profoundly despises it. Those Russians in the audience will have loved the way in which Slava Jolobov delivered

Russians in the audience will have loved the way in which Slava Jolobov delivered his lines

At the time it was a short time of complete freedom flowed just as usual. The pause was in our minds or it was just my mind. I don’t know it now.

“After Yeltsin’s victory everything seemed to become right, it felt like good had won over evil. Now and forever.

Nothing bad can happen now. But that’s another story…”

Afterwards, Lev told us he was very happy to have had the opportunity to be here in Winchester and remembers the time in 1991: “I was young, it was a very enthusiastic time, full of emotions, full of expectations which didn’t come to anything. For half a year these expectations remained… it’s clear many factors have changed Russia to what it is now, but at the time it was a short time of complete freedom.” his lines… his rich voice will of course have been lost a little in the subtitles.

Everyone will have loved the beautiful images though.

Russian-born Dilyara Gover watched the film: “In 1991, I was just 21. So young as I see it now - and yet so growing up and smart as ‘We’ saw it then.

“Perestroika coincided with my first years at the University. We were happy and a bit drunk with the new-found freedom, and we saw ourselves as a new and better generation. We had lots of expectations… a new life in the new country.

“What happened in that August I am sure we still don’t understand. I just remember the general ‘pause’ in the air for those three days. I remember my feelings that I desperately didn’t want to go back to the country in which my parents had lived - the Soviet Union.

“When I say we paused it doesn’t mean we stopped living our normal lives, no. Everything carried on working and

Beautiful: Scenes from the film (above) which won Best Feature Film at the Winchester Film Festival

We do two things on our internet radio station...

1: talk about Winchester 2: play fantastic music Opportunity: Lev Prudkin (below) talks to the press after the screening

FIND US ON THE TUNEIN APP!

reviews

February 2019

winchestertoday.co.uk 13

A DOUBLE-ACT DELIGHT Chris Book discovers another delightful ‘fine mess’

ESSENTIAL

VINYL

STAN AND OLLIE Dir. Jon S. Baird

★★★★★ FOR those of us of a certain age, cast your mind back to those black and white films we used to watch on a Saturday morning with Laurel & Hardy.

They were shot at a time in the 1930s when they were at the top of their game and famous all over the world. It wasn’t always like that though, as who really knew until now what happened to them later on in their careers?

Jump forward 16 years from their peak year in 1937 to 1953 and things were very different. The film starts with the boys landing in Newcastle in a downmarket hotel having been lured across to England for a spurious film offer and sold out shows across the length and breadth of the country. Stan (Steve Coogan) and Ollie (John C Reilly) soon discover that their once adoring British public has deserted them for the likes of Abbott and Costello and a young Norman Wisdom. The stalls are half empty and the venues are second rate.

They are taken for a ride in every sense by impresario Bernard Delfont (Rufus Jones) who will spin them a yarn just to try and make a fast buck at every turn.

The film cleverly flashes back to when they were at their peak and even then being taken for a ride by their then manager/producer Hal Roach. Their contracts were not in synch so had to be renegotiated at different times which

You could well be watching the originals at work

meant they sometimes had to work with other people - and they received no royalties from their films being shown all over the world.

Things start to look up somewhat later in the tour with the arrival of their wives and appearing in well-rehearsed publicity stunts. Steve Coogan is absolutely brilliant as Laurel, capturing his voice and mannerisms perfectly.

Reilly likewise, his portrayal of Hardy as a somewhat quiet unassuming man with a large gambling habit and an underlying major health problem is a delight.

Together you could well be watching the originals at work it is that good, from them singing ‘The Trail of The Lonesome Pine’ to the awkward simple

‘...Cheap’ at twice the price KEITH RICHARDS Talk is Cheap: 30th Anniversary Reissue CD, LP, Digital 29th March, BMG

IN 1988 Keith Richards released his first ever solo album, ‘Talk Is Cheap’, an eleven track masterclass in everything good about rock ‘n roll.

It all began in 1986 when Keith was restless. The Stones were inactive and as Keith says It was one of those “forget about it times”. He’d worked with drummer Steve Jordan on the Chuck Berry film Hail, Hail Rock ‘n Roll and was looking for another challenge. He’d never before considered making a solo album and admits to initially being “dragged kicking and screaming” into the studio.

Throughout his career with the Rolling Stones, he had always been a one band man: “My central focus had always been that one thing.

“I felt like in the Stones I had the perfect vehicle for what I wanted to do. I couldn’t imagine putting something else together would be equally satisfying.”

Thankfully he put together the incomparable X-Pensive Winos. From the start it felt like a band, with guitarist Waddy Wachtel an obvious first addition to Steve Jordan. “Waddy and I are like Ronnie and me,” Keith says. “Within five minutes it’s like you’ve known each other all your lives.”

With Charley Drayton, who plays bass and drums, three became four,

The album holds up

Masterclass: Keith defines modern rock music

Image: Sante D’Orazio

choreography of their dance routines.

My only criticism is sometimes it was a bit slow in places, but it showed another side of comedy double acts that all is not always sweetness and light when away from the audience or the camera. From it you can understand what Ernie Wise went through when Eric started to have health problems and even what Ant and Dec are going through now.

I loved this film. Apart from the fact I watched some of it being filmed last year as the locations were 200 yards from my office, it was warm, funny and just right for viewing on a cold winter’s afternoon. Go and see it, you will not be disappointed. then five with singer and keyboard player Ivan Neville. All of them were multi-instrumentalists, musical allrounders who set up camp at Le Studio, outside Quebec. Isolated from big city distractions, the music flowed from the start. “There was a roll going on and all I had to do was hang onto it,” Keith says.

One of the first tracks they recorded was the explosive ‘Take It So Hard’, a tight but loose classic that easily illustrates why Keith is called the human riff. It defines modern rock music.

Recording later moved onto Montserrat, Bermuda and other locales with guest appearances from an all-star cast including Sarah Dash, Bootsy Collins, Maceo Parker, the Memphis Horns, Patti Sciafia and Mick Taylor.

There’s a joyous swagger to Talk Is Cheap that permeates each and every song. It sounds as good today as it did thirty years ago – in Keith’s words “as fresh as the day it was made”. This reissue also includes 6 bonus tracks, four of which feature pianist Johnnie Johnson including Eddie Taylor’s ‘Big Town Playboy’, ‘Blues Jam’, ‘’Slim’ and the kinetic Jimmy Reed cover ‘My Babe’.

The Super Deluxe and Deluxe box set includes special, exclusive housing and folios, extensive sleeve notes by Anthony De Curtis telling the story” of the album’s production, release and cultural impact, unseen photos and rare memorabilia.

“This album holds up,“ says Keith. “I’ve been listening to it and not through the mists of nostalgia either because it doesn’t affect me that way. This is more than the sum of its parts. I really admire it. We were having fun and you can hear it.”

STEVIE WONDER SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE

Released: 28 September 1976 Tamla Records You may be surprised when you realise this was Stevie Wonder’s 18th album. You would probably be pushed to name all the other 17 beforehand though!

Wow. What a true collection of songs. Not only were there five singles... ‘I Wish’, ‘Isn’t She Lovely’, ‘Sir Duke’, ‘Another Star’ and ‘As’ - but also gems like ‘Pastime Paradise’ and the beautiful ‘Knocks Me Off My Feet’.

The album was the culmination of 2 years’ recording across 4 studios. It was an epic in so many senses of the word. There were so many songs available that it didn’t just end up as a double album, there was a 4-track 7” vinyl EP single enclosed as well, which also played at 33rpm, called ‘A Something’s Extra’ EP. It was like having 5 full sides of vinyl, and seemed like a total bargain seeing as the whole thing ran for almost 105 minutes.

People such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Coolio and George Michael raved about the album, and some covered some of the songs.

It became the soundtrack of my life from release almost right through the whole of 1977 and beyond. Elton John is reported as saying he used to take it around with him everywhere at the time.

In 1977, the album won four of the seven Grammys that it had been nominated for, including ‘Album of the Year’. Justice had been served.

In 2005, Songs In The Key Of Life was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. This means the powers that be deemed it “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

Kevin Gover

news

February 2019

winchestertoday.co.uk 15

What’s On in Winchester and beyond February-March 2019 Until Wednesday 6th March Leonardo Da Vinci: A Life in Drawing Southampton City Art Gallery, Southampton.

You do NOT have to pay to have your event listed here! You can send printed leaflets or brochures to Winchester Today, Suite 123, 80 High Street, Winchester, SO23 9AT, send details by email to news@winchestertoday.co.uk or tweet us the info @winchestertoday All event details listed are correct at time of going to press.

COMPILED BY

RACHEL GOVER

Saturday 9th March Alton Farmers’ Market High Street, Alton

Saturday 9th March – Sunday 10th March DIY Science: Universe

Until Wednesday 20th March Elizabeth Blackadder: From the Artist’s Studio

Winchester Science Centre, Telegraph Way, Winchester. 10.00am – 5pm

Winchester Discovery Centre, The Gallery, Jewry Street.

Monday – Sunday 9.00am – 3pm.

Saturday 9th March/ Friday 15th March Chocolate Craft Workshops

Until Sunday 28th April Antartica 2019 at Gilbert White’s House

Unit 1, Upton Park Farm, Old Alresford.

10.00am – 12.30pm/2pm - 4.30pm

Gilbert White’s House & The Oates Collection, The Wakes, Selborne. Monday – Sunday, 10.30am – 4.30pm

Sunday 10th March Ed Gamble: Blizzard Theatre Royal, Jewry Street, Winchester. 8pm

Thursday 14th February – Saturday 16th February Valentine’s Comedy Specials

Monday 11th March Climate 4 Change

Emirates Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth. 7pm - 11pm.

University of Winchester, Community Event.

Theatre Royal, Jewry Street, Winchester.

7.30pm

Friday 15th February Caring for Your Treasured Textiles The D-Day Story, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea. 10am – 3pm

Tuesday 12th March Stand Up and Be Graded Chris Packham brings tales and photos from around the world to the Theatre Royal on Saturday 9th March

Sunday 17th February Ruby Turner

Saturday 23rd February Chocolate Craft Workshops

Theatre Royal, Jewry Street, Winchester.

7.30pm

Unit 1, Upton Park Farm, Old Alresford.

10.00am – 12.30pm/2pm – 4.30pm

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyn’s Lane, Romsey.

Sunday 17th/24th February/ 3rd March Great Run Local Portsmouth

Sunday 24th February Chinese New Year Extravaganza

Friday 15th February – Monday 25th February February Half Term: Science of Magic

Hilsea Lido, London Road. 9.15am

Community Event, Theatre Royal, Jewry Street, Winchester.

Friday 15th February – Sunday 17th February Winter Bulbs and Flowers Floral Display

Winchester Science Centre, Telegraph Way, Winchester. 10am – 5pm

Monday 18th February – Wednesday 20th February Lions Sports Academy Alton Rugby Camp 23 Anstey Lane, Alton. 9.00am – 4pm

Saturday 16th February Needlework Workshop: Scandinavian Love Bird Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyn’s Lane, Ampfield. 10am – 4pm.

Saturday 16th February Inflatable 5k Obstacle Courses Run Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, Etps Road, Farnborough.

9.00am – 14.00pm

Saturday 16th February Emsworth Farmers’ Market St Peter’s Square, Emsworth

Saturday 16th February After Dark: The Gas Giants/ Before Dusk: The Gas Giants Winchester Science Centre, Telegraph Way. 5.30 - 6.30pm/7pm – 10pm

Saturday 16th February Endless Love: The Most Popular Love Songs Live Princes Hall, Aldershot. 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Saturday 16th February The Annual St Valentine’s Day Massacre in support of Youth Music The Wedgewood Rooms, 147b Albert Road, Southsea.

7pm – 11.30pm

Sunday 24th February National Garden Scheme Snowdrop Day Chawton House, Chawton, Alton.

11.00am – 4.30pm

Monday 18th February – Friday 22nd February Half Term Holiday Club

Sunday 24th February BBC Big Band

Winchester Science Centre, Telegraph Way, Winchester. 9am - 4pm

Portsmouth Guildhall, Portsmouth.

7pm - 11pm

Tuesday 19th February Disney’s Christopher Robin

Sunday 24th February/ 10th March Winchester Farmers’ Market

The Festival Hall, Heath Road, Petersfield.

2.30pm - 4.30pm

Sunday 28th February The Illegal Eagles

The Festival Hall, Heath Road, Petersfield.

7.30pm - 9.30pm

Princes Hall, Princes Way, Aldershot.

7.30pm – 9.30pm

Tuesday 19th February All Star Super Slam Wrestling

Saturday 2nd March DIY Science: Bubbles

Princes Hall, Aldershot. 7.30pm - 9.30pm

Winchester Science Centre, Telegraph Way, Winchester.

10.00am – 5pm

Royal Oak Passage. 8.30pm - 10pm

Theatre Royal, Jewry Street, Winchester. 7pm

UNIQUE ASPIRATIONAL LIGHTING

Sunday 3rd March Petersfield Farmers’ Market The Square, Petersfield

Wednesday 20th February – Thursday 21st February Outdoor Adventure Holiday Club Sir Harold Hillier Gardens.

9.30am – 3.30pm

Friday 22nd February Family Bushcraft: Pancake Cooking Around the Fire

Sunday 3rd March Romsey Farmers’ Market Alma Road Car Park, Romsey

Monday 4th March – Friday 8th March £20 Spring Lunch for Two Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyn’s Lane, Ampfield

Saturday 16th February – Sunday 24th February February Half Term

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyn’s Lane, Ampfield. 1.30pm – 4pm

Mottisfont National Trust, Nr Romsey.

Monday – Sunday 10am – 5pm

Friday 22nd February – Saturday 23rd February The World Famous Elvis Show

The Festival Hall, Heath Road, Petersfield.

7.30pm - 9.30pm

Saturday 16th/23rd February and Saturday 2nd/9th/ 16th March Winery Tour & Tasting

Princes Hall, Princes Way, Aldershot.

7.40pm – 9.40pm

Wednesday 6th March A- Tissue! A- Tissue!

Children’s Theatre

Saturday 23rd February Ringwood Farmers’ Market

Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester.

11.00am – 3.30pm

Hattingley Valley Vineyard.

10.30am - 12 midday/ 2pm - 3.30pm

The Watercress Line, Mid Hants Railway, Ropley.

9.00am – 5pm

Saturday 9th March Chris Packham, Pictures from the Edge of the World, Talk.

Winchester High Street

Tuesday 19th February A Star is Born

Tuesday 19th February/ Tuesday 19th March Winchester Ghost Tour

Friday 8th March – Sunday 10th March Spring Steam Gala

The Furlong, Ringwood

Tuesday 5th March Bohemian Rhapsody

Elstead House, Mill Lane, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2QJ www.elsteadlighting.com | Tel: 01420 590510 Showroom open 9:00am - 5:30pm Monday - Saturday

University of Winchester, Community Event.

Theatre Royal, Jewry Street, Winchester.

7.30pm

Tuesday 12th March Brit Floyd Portsmouth Guildhall, Guildhall Square.

7.30pm - 11pm

16 winchestertoday.co.uk

the final word

February 2019

We have all had the delight of visiting the Cathedral now and again‌ but some of our friends are perhaps closer than others. Simon Newman recently took this fantastic image of the Nave without any chairs or people around at 0639 in the morning. Peace, tranquility...