JULY 2017 ISSUE 030
HAT FAIR WINDFALL
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Half-a-million pound gain for the region as London loses out By KEVIN GOVER News Editor STAFF at the Theatre Royal were overjoyed to hear that Winchester’s Hat Fair is to receive investment from Arts Council England for the next 4 years no small achievement when you realise that many famous venues in London have lost out, as well as other venues around the country. In the grant funding plans for 2018 - 2022, the Live Theatre Winchester Trust heard that it will remain a National Portfolio Organisation, enabling it to continue to present the country’s longestrunning Outdoor Arts Festival, Hat Fair, and receive a total £536,632 in revenue funding over these four financial years. This significant investment will enable Hat Fair to continue as a major annual Outdoor Arts Festival throughout Winchester city centre for the next four years. Only last month, Andrew Loretto, Hat Fair and Engagement Director for Live Theatre Winchester Trust told Winchester Today that arts funding and everyone enjoying the arts should be a right, not a luxury: “This is fantastic news for Winchester and Hampshire to receive... to be able to plan ahead
with confidence for a four year cycle of annual Hat Fair festivals in Winchester city centre and associated yearround engagement for Theatre Royal Winchester. “We look forward to developing our programme of outdoor and siteresponsive work providing high quality arts experiences for inter-generational participants. We also look forward to developing the identity of Hat Fair as a home for outdoor performance from across the UK and around the world. “We wish to welcome as many people as possible to our beautiful city of Winchester so they can discover its streets, nooks and crannies in surprising ways through live performance.” Deryck Newland is Chief Executive of Live Theatre Winchester Trust: “The whole organisation is delighted that Arts Council England recognises the power of Outdoor Arts in general, and Hat Fair in particular, to engage wide audiences and create extraordinary experiences for the public. We look forward to working in partnership with ACE and our other investors to continue developing the quality and reach of our work over the next four years and beyond.”
Honour for courageous PC page 3
Celebrating five years in print pages 7-11
CLEAR FOR TAKEOFF! Clearly the most people we’ve ever featured on the front page of Winchester Today! Six hundred people line up to take part in Southampton Airport’s Runway Run to help raise funds for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. story on page 13 ➜
Ethical bags from Ghana page 12
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July 2017
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Hello and welcome to our fifth anniversary special. We’ve had great fun looking back at some of the stories we’ve covered since 4 July 2012… when it rained and rained and rained throughout our launch day and the first week of our deliveries. I remember our launch day as if it were yesterday. My first job was a newspaper delivery boy, and that’s exactly the role I played on that launch day upstairs at Loch Fyne. I handed out the papers… and then suddenly the room went silent. I wondered what was going on - until I realised that everyone was reading it! From that day to this, all we have ever wanted to do is provide top-quality journalism. To everyone who has contributed, a huge thank you! Kevin Gover
ABOUT US winchestertoday
Playing Their Part Businesses Awarded for Being Greener
est 2012
n EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • Kevin Gover kevin@winchestertoday.co.uk n CONTRIBUTORS • David Cradduck • Rachel Gover • John Ellery • Chrissie Pollard • HIOWAA • Beccy Conway • Gavin Harris • Dilyara Gover • Katie Chappell • Charlie Osman • Keri Jones • Freya Storey n LAYOUT DESIGN • Jon Heal Winchester Today Media Partner to Winchester Short Film Festival
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AN award ceremony hosted by the Mayor has been held in Winchester at the Guildhall to recognise the first tranche of local businesses who have taken part in a new Green Impact scheme. The free scheme is commissioned by Winchester City Council and delivered in partnership with the Department for Sustainability at the National Union of Students (NUS). This is the first time the national scheme - which involves local students in the assessment process - has been provided by a local authority. The initiative is designed to allow Winchester District businesses to align themselves with a national accreditation. The ceremony saw awards given to Two Hoots campsite, Marwell Zoo, Sustainable Acoustics, Winchester Business Improvement District, 29 Christchurch Road Bed & Breakfast, University of Winchester, Kirton Farm Nurseries, Green Value and Specsavers area office in Whiteley. Robert Humby is the city’s representative for Business Partnerships and passed on his congratulations: “Their commitment to building a low carbon economy has helped us achieve a grand total of 327 green actions completed in the Winchester District. These businesses have collectively prevented over 78 tonnes of carbon from being released into the atmosphere. It’s also of note that the actions led to savings equivalent to £12,288 in running costs to these businesses – demonstrating that adopting low carbon practices can make sound business sense.” The Mayor - David McLean - was pleased that so many businesses are playing their part: “I was delighted to present the first businesses with a recycled slate engraved with their name and a certificate. It was good to hear about the actions that have been taken and to give out special awards for businesses who have showed exceptional achievements in improving their green credentials.” Two of the businesses: 29 Christchurch Road Bed and Breakfast and Sustainable Acoustics also received the higher Silver Standard.
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I’m So Proud Of Neal jumped in the water to die myself. I don’t feel like a hero. I’m sure every police officer in my situation would have done the same.” In addition to being nominated for the National Police Bravery Award, in April 2017, PC Skinner attended a ceremony in London where he was awarded the Order of St John Life Saving Medal in Bronze. John Apter is Chairman of Hampshire Police Federation: “PC Skinner showed great courage and compassion and acted instinctively to help another. Without doubt his actions saved the life of another. He is a credit to the Constabulary and we are all very proud of him. “It is right and proper that we highlight and celebrate these acts of courage and bravery of our police officers. Members of the emergency services don’t do what they do for praise or recognition, they do it to make a difference. PC Skinner made a difference on that day and this is something we should shout about and celebrate.” Olivia Pinkney, the Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary also added her congratulations: “PC Skinner demonstrated great bravery. His selfless actions resulted in the life of another being saved. This was an act of courage, professionalism and dedication. I am so proud of Neal.”
Hampshire PC Puts Another Man’s Life Above His Own A dog handler at Hampshire Constabulary - PC Neal Skinner will be recognised at the 22nd Police Bravery Awards later in July, at a fitting ceremony in London. The awards honour and recognise police officers who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty, and are hosted by the Police Federation of England and Wales. At 9.30pm on 27 December 2015, Neal and a colleague approached a man who was standing on a bridge over Langstone Harbour, threatening to jump off. He was taking large quantities of prescription drugs and drinking alcohol as he spoke with the officers. As the man was on the wrong side of the bridge railings, neither officer could get close enough to grab him. PC Skinner built up a rapport with the man. “I told him that if he jumped, I was going to jump in after him. He said he didn’t want me to jump in, but I said it wasn’t negotiable because that was my job.” After almost 40 minutes of talking the man then jumped 30ft into the sea. Without hesitation PC Skinner followed and was immediately overcome by the freezing cold. He shouted to his colleague
to throw a life ring and then swam after the man who was being dragged away by the strong current. He managed to grab the man by the neck and get to the shore where paramedics were waiting. The man was treated in hospital and PC Skinner was treated for cold shock. He’s been in the force for 16 years, but this was something new: “It was very cold and an experience I wouldn’t want to repeat in a long time. I became very determined and focused that I hadn’t
His actions saved the life of another. He is a credit to the Constabulary
Going Greener
Jane Austen Competition
Car club to cut city’s carbon footprint WINCHESTER’S businesses and residents have been given an opportunity to experience one of Enterprise’s new low emission hybrid cars with 32 signing up to the new car club. It enables self-service access to a car at any time without the hassle and expense of car ownership. It will also help to reduce the number of privately owned vehicles coming into the city reducing
emissions, improving air quality and encouraging use of public transport. Vehicles can be booked for as little as 15 minutes for local errands and will be available at the following locations in Winchester City Centre: Friarsgate, Middle Brook Street and Jewry Street car parks as well as at Enterprise’s offices at Winchester Railway Station. The city’s handed over parking spaces, as Environment boss Jan Warwick
explains: “The Council is delighted to offer Enterprise free use of three parking spaces in city council car parks for Winchester’s new car club. The car club is one of the many actions in the City Council’s new Air Quality Action
Plan. Other actions include encouraging greater use of out of centre parking, the installation of electric vehicle charging points in city centre car parks and introducing ultra low emission vehicles for our own fleet.”
Pictured: (left to right): Steve Brine MP; Gemma Dickson (Enterprise Car Club); Janet Warwick, (Environment) and Ken Macartney, (Winchester BID).
WINCHESTER Today is delighted to have teamed up with Chamber Opera Tours presentation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion: A New Musical Drama on the 18 July at the Theatre Royal. It will be staged in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death (July 18, 1817) and the publication of her beloved final novel, Persuasion. This original musical adaptation has toured multiple UK and US cities over the past four years and was a popular event at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The widely acclaimed stage production features songs from Jane Austen’s manuscripts and music of the era, a chamber orchestra, beautiful Regency costumes, projected scenery, and worldchampion Irish dancers. Come and join us! We have ten pairs of tickets to give away. Just answer the following question: Where is Jane Austen buried? Email your answer to studio@ winchestertoday.co.uk - or send your answer to Winchester Today, Suite 123, 80 High Street, Winchester SO23 9AT no later than 5pm on Wednesday 12 July. Don’t forget to include a contact number. Good luck!
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Squirt and Squidge Keeping it simple
Freya Storey continues her look at life as a mum-of-two “CAMPING with a toddler and a 6 month old - are you mad?!” Quite possibly, I thought as I frivolously agreed to a 5 night stay in the depths of Cornwall with nothing but a canvas to protect me and my little tribe. I thought back to family holidays along the Dordogne when my brother and I were young, to those wonderful free summer nights where we whiled away the hours playing ‘round robin’ on the ping pong table with our new international friends, while our parents supped wine outside our impressive (I have to say already erected family tent.) Something hankered for me to allow my children to experience such an easy pace and to hopefully help them create such cherished memories. So the LIST began. Just what would we need to make sure this trip was a success? I thought “I know what I’ll do”... I’ll type ‘camping with a baby’ into the internet - so I did and to my delight there was enough material to make me believe this was a really good idea. Some top tips that I took away and feel I should share were: 1. T ake a spare duvet to wrap around baby’s travel cot for extra
warmth at night 2. D ress children in extra layers, I added tights underneath our 6 month old’s baby grow and this worked wonders 3. H ave toddlers sleep on an airbed 4. G o with it! 5. O h... and one I would like to add on reflection… be prepared to drive around the campsite to get said toddler to bed, then lift with ultimate precision to ensure not to wake in vital ‘car to airbed’ transition - luckily my husband nailed this one. We took EVERYTHING with us and probably used 70% but as ‘camping with a family’ novices we erred on the side of caution. I now realise we were in Cornwall and they have shops ... big shops that sell nappies and the like so I probably didn’t need to take a month’s supply! We arrived at our campsite and I have to say I was impressed, beautifully kept pitches that tried to mimic one’s own front garden - each individual, and each with its own character. The facilities were top notch too with continuously warm showers with no need to leg it in the morning for that first bit of heat. There was a good kids playpark with a
trampoline, that kept them entertained for the first few hours ... until the real MAGIC began to flow and the children came into their own. It was priceless to see them outside the whole time, making up their own games, introducing themselves to the other children on the site, it was simple, it was free and it brought with it big smiles
Motoring
Billions In Investment Pays Off Toyota marks 25 years of building cars in Britain with new Auris Hybrid GB25. TWENTY-FIVE years ago Toyota built its first car in Britain, launching a manufacturing enterprise that has benefited from billions of pounds of investment and delivered more than four million vehicles to customers in the UK, Europe and beyond. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, Toyota has produced a special limited edition version of the Auris Hybrid, a model proudly built at its Burnaston factory and powered by an engine made at its plant in Deeside, North Wales. The new Auris Hybrid GB25 is very different from the original Carina E model that came off Toyota Manufacturing UK’s (TMUK) production line back in 1989, the first Toyota passenger car to be built in Europe. Burnaston and Deeside both source power from on-site solar arrays and have eliminated waste sent to landfill. The company currently employs more than 3,000 people across its two plants and supports many more jobs within its UK supplier network. Auris Hybrid GB25 Facts n Bi-tone exterior paint finish; n Contrasting black roof, front grille and door mirror casings; n Tokyo Red, Pearl White or Aspen Grey bodywork; n Smart black leather upholstery; n 17-inch alloys; n Air conditioning and power windows; n Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system; n 6-speaker audio system with DAB; n Bluetooth for hands-free phone operation; n Toyota Safety Sense package; n 72.4mpg fuel consumption and 91g/km of CO2. n Went on sale 1 July, price £24,045.
We erred on the side of caution
from both them and us as parents. We made our ‘home from home’ and once set up, I took a step back and actually it didn’t look too bad, almost more like ‘family glamping’ - a far cry from the feral 2 man sweat tents I used to subject myself to before I was a wise mother. We slept in our own individual pods just like we do rooms at home and it was surprising to see how well the kids adapted - give them ample fresh air and a belly full of food and they’re like cats. So was it all roses? Sure we had a few monumental toddler meltdowns as a consequence of a few sleep deprived nights - mainly because of how bright it still was through the canvas at 10pm - damn Sun! But it was so worth it for the giggles, fun and experience our children gained. Just tonight in the car my husband and I smiled to each other as our toddler started talking about one of the new friends he’d made while camping... a month on since that trip and he could still remember his name... it obviously meant something to him and made a long lasting memory. Isn’t that what holidays are all about?
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“ Congratulations to Kevin and his excellent team of volunteers on your first five years - but here’s to the next five and beyond.”
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Steve Brine - MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford
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Hot off the Press: Our First Edition is printed, July 2012
Steve Brine MP and Kevin enjoy the very first edition in July 2012.
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H ere we go! Launch Day, Loch Fyne, July 2012
Cheriton - Romsey Littleton - Alresford - Chandler’s Ford … and not forgetting Cheriton,-Romsey, Stockbridge, Hursley, Kings Worthy, Littleton, Alresford, Chandler’s Ford, Micheldever, Bishop’s Waltham, and everywhere in between! winchestertoday.co.uk
Travel William Brougham flies East to the beautiful Russian city of Page 12 St. Petersburg
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O ur October 2012 edition Wedding Special focused on the Community Ideas and advice for your Secretary’s decision to give wedding with our special pullout Pages 7 - 10 section the go-ahead to the Barton New Support for Farm development - just a Small Businesses in Winchester year after rejecting it.
Take One Last Look…
Help is being provided to micro businesses to try and help stimulate enterprise during the economic downturn, with a pilot scheme of grants. Businesses with less than 9 employees can now apply for grants of up to £1,000 from Winchester City Council on items required to allow their business to grow. The items could theoretically include things like the purchase of IT equipment, website design, recruitment costs, help with relocation costs to expand the business or anything else which is essential for developing a micro business. Deputy Leader of Winchester City Council, Robert Humby says the new micro business development grants are one of a number of ways the council is supporting businesses located in the District: “Earlier in the year we introduced improvements to help rural businesses with the planning process. We have also recently launched a new apprenticeship grant scheme to help young people starting an apprenticeship.” Economy and Arts Development Manager Alison Woods says that hopefully red tape will not get in the way either: “Feedback from businesses has also indicated that they would like local government to reduce red tape so we have tried to make the More on Page 2
By Kevin Gover, Editor kevin.gover@winchestertoday.co.uk
The Barton Farm development project is to go ahead, after Communities Secretary Eric Pickles gave it the green light – just 1 year after rejecting it. Mr Pickles had to review his decision when it
was ruled unlawful. CALA Group Limited received approval on 2 October for its longrunning application to build up to 2000 new homes at the site it owns on the northern edge of Winchester, after promoting the site for 14 years. During that time there have been demonstrations, enforced changes to the plans, dismissals, a public
enquiry, three legal challenges – and now a successful appeal. CALA says the plans will include the provision of 800 affordable homes within the project – around 40% of the total. Winchester and Chandler’s Ford MP Steve Brine called it: “a bitterly disappointing decision from the coalition Government.”
Sandbag Fiasco “Beyond a Joke” Last week as the heavens erupted in Winchester, businesses along the railway station section of Stockbridge Road once again thought they were going to be swamped with flood water. Drains along the main road lifted, with water cascading everywhere like a fountain that couldn’t be switched off. Two of the drains were so badly damaged they need replacing.
For the third time this year, staff members at Winchester Today have watched as it rains and people come rushing into the shops to warn the business owners of what’s happening. They in turn try to stop the water from going over the pavement and into their doors. Samira Haig runs the newly-opened Essenziale Beauty Salon and Café,
Leader of Winchester City Council – Keith Wood – also said he was personally disappointed, but that the council now has “no choice” but to follow the decision.
Inside
REACTION AND MORE ON PAGE 5 >> and told Winchester Today that she had no idea of the problems: “If I had, I would NEVER have rented this place. Every time it rains I worry about what is going to happen.” By chance, a van was parked right outside Samira Haig’s shop. It was only because of this that buses and cars were unable to get near and send the water right over the pavement.
Hampshire take oneday county double Sport ....................... 20
What it Takes .......... 4
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Winchester Today - Your local FREE newsaper - out every month.
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Flaming ‘eck! One of our first big stories as the Olympic Torch comes to Winchester ahead of the London Games 2012 ➜
A lso in 2012 we were given exclusive access to the Wilderness Expertise expedition which took 11 team members from Peter Symonds College to Uganda. It looked at sustainable support for the community of Kanjobe.
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Our First Edition - forever in our hearts!
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We were all Winchester-spotting on the release of Les Mis. ➜
Just days after the choristers at Winchester Cathedral took to the ice rink for pictures which ran around the world came a fire at the Deanery which destroyed stocks of books. ➜
I n what has probably been one of the coldest and prolonged winters in a long while, Winchester was transformed into a winter wonderland on 18th January. The snow fell for around 8 hours solid - and just stayed! Our picture shows the scenes around Hyde just a few hours after the snow started to fall.
Dani King led children from Compton All Saints Primary School to officially open the newly-restored Hockley Viaduct. ➜
e got our first glimpse of the new outpatients W department at RHCH.
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Hello Kate! The Duchess of Cambridge came to Naomi House and Jacksplace and we were all in love!
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Winchester once again had world class state-of-the-art MRI and CT scan facilities. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust opened the new building at the hospital in Winchester - part of a £10m project. Work to replace the scanners and the building that houses them began in August 2012 after the previous scanner and building were destroyed by fire on Friday 9 December 2011.
A property development in Hatherley Road which featured in our newspaper in January hit the headlines again when an early-morning fire forced the evacuation of ten neighbouring houses. The heat was so intense that it melted the streetlight. 34 fire crew attended the scene from Winchester, Basingstoke, Redbridge, St Mary’s and Eastleigh. photo: Hampshire Fire and Rescue
successful second round application from the Heritage Lottery A Fund had resulted in a £10.5m boost for Winchester Cathedral. The national grant was awarded to enable essential repairs to the Cathedral fabric, conserve its medieval windows, and will also enable the development of three new major exhibitions.
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➜O ne story dominated 2014, right at the beginning - and its effect was with us for many months afterwards. It was early 2014. It started raining, and it didn’t stop. At one point, water was flowing down the appropriately named Water Lane in Winchester, which the River Itchen runs past, at 12,000 litres per second. And then when it stopped raining, the water refused to budge. MP Steve Brine motivated, listened, he cajoled, he appeared live on Sky News in a lengthy interview and told the country what we were facing. Speaking of the inevitable comparisons with the 2000/2001 floods, Steve gave the House a full and frank account of the situation faced by residents in Kings Worthy, Headbourne Worthy, Sutton Scotney, Hursley, Littleton, the city centre out to Cheriton and Twyford. People basically gave up work for weeks to protect their communities. We built a mini bridge on Andover Road, the river upstream was diverted, the water eventually subsided and walls were built to stop it happening again. Those who were there will not forget early 2014 in a hurry. Pictures from: Kevin Gover, Steve Brine, Environment Agency, David Cradduck
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We were taken on a very special event in 2015 - the Grand Opening of the new Ropley Station Waiting Shelter and Canopy. The building blends in as if it has been there as long as its 150 year old surroundings at Ropley station, one of the four stations en route from Alresford to Alton. And David really enjoyed his cream tea!
➜A lfred the Spruce! Winchester’s iconic statue of King Alfred the Great enjoyed a wash and wax behind its very own ‘shower curtain’. The statue is cleaned and receives a new protective coat of wax every seven to ten years to prevent the metal from deteriorating.
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N ine poodle-cross dogs abandoned in the Winchester district caused a public outcry across the district. The dogs – a mother aged around eight-years-old and eight younger dogs between one- and three-years-old – were found at several locations: two at Longwood Dean Lane, Owslebury; three at Lower Baybridge Lane, Owslebury; three on the Morestead Road; and one found in Alresford and handed in to a local vet there.
V irtually the entire train track was ripped up between Eastleigh and Basingstoke over an entire weekend and gave some great views on how it works.
J onah Lomu dominated the front page of our October 2015 edition after visiting Naomi House. Just one month later he was dead at the age of 40 after suffering a heart attack related to his kidney condition.
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➜ Nice to see you (just!) The children at Lanterns Nursery enjoyed a meal fit for a Queen with a street party combined for the Queen’s 90th Birthday celebrations and their own 10th anniversary.
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O rganisers say that a record 8,000 people attended the Winchester Criterium and CycleFest on 7 June 2015, making the event the biggest of its kind in the region.
J unior doctors in Winchester weren’t happy, and told us as much in a series of walkouts.
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Perins did ‘Phantom’. It was stunning. We told everyone about it on our website. The website went into meltdown with the most visits we’ve ever had. Still not matched!
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I’m here! Still one of our favourite pics ever. Rosie having fun. Don’t tell the farmer.
T he Future Is Here. A stateof-the-art new building at St Swithun’s Junior School was officially opened by Bishop of Winchester.
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Start-Up Fights For African Tailors New enterprise for Ghanaian fashion IF you’re a regular reader of Winchester Today, you will already know of our staff links with Ghana. Rachel featured the country in a series of pictures which helped formed ‘The Forgotten Workers’ exhibition at the Art Café in 2014. So we were particularly interested to hear from students Edward Ashdown and Jack Fellows, who are both behind a social enterprise selling ethical bags and apparel from Ghana. Edward is from Hampshire - and you might even know his step-mum, Rev Victoria Ashdown who is Vicar of the Parishes of Ampfield, Chilworth and North Baddesley, in the Deanery of Romsey: “We’re passionate about expanding the reach of Ghanaian fashion, and reaching fellow students with cool, functional and ethical gear. Back in 2016, Jack volunteered in Ghana with International Development Charity, Challenges Worldwide. During a 10 week, U.K Government funded International Citizen Service (ICS) placement Jack utilised his skills as a banking and finance student to support a Ghanaian fish smoking business. However, It was not only the fish smokers who benefitted from Jack’s time in Ghana. One year on, and inspired by Ghana’s cultural heritage and the talents of the young Ghanaians he worked with, Jack has founded his own ethical African
TSM has grown and matured in the last six months apparel brand with a mission to celebrate Ghana’s fledgling fashion industry. As a result of the experience, Jack became interested in the state of the Ghanaian textile market: “Clothes are the costume of our identity, and the Ghanaian textile industry has faced many years of decline.”
He set out to support local tailors by exporting their ethical goods, and brought 90 bags to Hong Kong hoping to sell them. That was the start of the venture ‘The Social Mercenary’. Despite initial poor sales, they persisted in starting a website and have now sold almost all their bags and are looking to launch a kickstarter on August 10th: “It’s been a journey, but TSM has grown and matured in the last six months into something that I believe can make a difference in Ghana. We’re looking to sell bags, t-shirts and caps on the kickstarter.” Currently, TSM has only one member of staff working on producing their caps, as opposed to a network of ethical Ghanaian factories producing the bags organised by Ethical Apparel Africa. If the kickstarter meets its target (£16,000) the Social Mercenary will be able to meet the minimum 500 bags order. The profits will be reinvested in the tailors and Jack will be looking to buy a peak finisher which will massively speed up production of the hats; a first of its kind for Ghana. We wish them both well with the venture, and will give you more details of the kickstarter project nearer the time.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS FROM SHARMAN & CO. “To everyone at Winchester Today, congratulations on the paper’s 5th anniversary! It is a great testament to your hard work and the loyalty of your readers and advertisers.” James Sharman
July 2017
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Ten Years Of Flying Ten Years Of Saving Lives
SEEMS like we’re not the only ones celebrating a special birthday - our nominated charity, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, have celebrated 10 years of providing a lifesaving service to the community with a recent family fun day at Thruxton. On July 1st 2007 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance undertook its first operational flight. At the time, the Charity operated a Bolkow 105, flying for eight hours a day, five days a week. The Air Ambulance team was
made up of a pilot and two paramedics, some of whom still fly with the Charity. Today, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is one of the leading Air Ambulance charities in the UK. The Air Ambulance flies both day and night, 365 days a year, bringing an advanced Critical Care Team of paramedics and doctors to the scene of an incident within minutes, ready to deliver the same level of care, and equipment similar to that which you would expect from a hospital emergency department.
Celebrations: The team as they celebrated their third birthday
Records beaten at Southampton Airport Runway Run For HIOWAA
SIX hundred runners took to Southampton Airport’s runway at sunrise on Sunday 25 June to run 5km in aid of the Air Ambulance. Southampton Airport is the only commercial airport in the UK that opens up its runway to members of the public for this type of event - and with 600 runners attending, the event was the biggest run of its kind in the UK to date. This year the Runway Run raised funds for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance which brings an advanced critical care team to people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight when they need it most. At the time of Winchester Today going to press, £16,000 had been raised from the Runway Run with more coming in from sponsorship. This brings the running total that the airport has raised
We were thrilled to see so many people
with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance so far in 2017 to nearly £20,000. Dave Lees is Managing Director at Southampton Airport: “Once again we were blessed with some brilliant weather for our Runway Run and were thrilled to see so many people turn up to support Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. There is always such a fantastic atmosphere at the Runway Run which is great especially considering the very early start. We hope everyone enjoyed the truly unique experience of running down the runway at sunrise and we look forward to doing it all over again next year!” Alex Lochrane is CEO of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance: “It was fantastic to see so many people up bright and early for the Runway Run. We were overwhelmed with the amount of support for the charity and incredibly proud to know that this was the biggest Runway Run to date. We’d like to thank Southampton Airport for allowing us to host this event and of course a huge thank you to all who participated.” The fastest runners of the day were: Female: 1st Lydia Browning, 2nd Claire Powell, 3rd Caroline Partner. Male: 1st Ian Howard, 2nd Jamie Foster, 3rd Owen Watts.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS FROM HIOWAA Happy 5th Birthday from all of us at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance! We rely upon the oxygen of publicity to spread the message about our life-saving work and help us to raise the £9,000 a day needed to keep the Air Ambulance flying and saving lives. We are hugely grateful to Winchester Today for their on-going support.
VILLAGE FINAL Wednesday 21 June, 1959 - price 2d - Issue 3751 • Editorial Notes and Comment to our office: Tel CHE 234
ANOTHER MURDER IN CHERITON: SUSPECT APPREHENDED Words: Cheriton Times Chief Reporter John Gover Pictures: Staff Photographer Craig Robertson
Times Scoop
It soon transpired on checking back on his notes later that afternoon, that Chief Reporter Gover’s Last Saturday morning, the 17th inst., came the shock suspicions had been aroused so much that he had news that the body of Wally Patch had been found written about the dark clouds surrounding Wally’s in the porch of the Village Hall. The poor man had widow P oppy Patch to such extent as a ‘scoop’, only been at the Hall a few hours earlier for the final before the identity of the killer was revealed later in rehearsal of the Players’ production of ‘The Battle for the day. “... those tears merely crocodile in nature?” Cheriton.’ There the words are, plain as day. The Cheriton Times immediately despatched Chief Reporter John Gover to the incident room at the Village Hall in Cheriton - where around 90 souls MORE SHOCK had gathered to play detective and aid Hampshire REVELATIONS Constabulary in their search for the killer - and discover the motive. AND PICTURES: The volunteer detectives came in sweltering heat BACK PAGE on the day - most in tears at the passing of such a great man. (Left:) Reporter John Gover at the Cheriton Village Hall Incident Room. (Right:) Suspect Poppy Patch is led away by Cheriton PC Bobby Copper
‘Poisoner’ Poppy Patch Pictured Protesting
the final word
16 winchestertoday.co.uk
July 2017
Another Murder in Cheriton - an insider’s view ANOTHER MURDER IN CHERITON The Hall and Entire Village, 17 June 2017 by intrepid ‘Cheriton Times’ reporter John Gover
IT was hot. Boy was it hot. Sweltering! And that was just at 9am, five hours before it all started. But no matter in Cheriton - people seemed to cope in the 1950s, why not now? This beautiful village has captured hearts since Lord knows when - and according to the writers of this detective story, Cheriton was the ‘perfect location.’ The suspects were to be dotted about the village in situ. Cue upwards of 80 mini-detectives who came to the Hall - all determined to crack the clues and unmask the killer. Oh, and enjoy copious glasses of water, authentic 1950s tea and cake, dance to some 1950s ‘tunes’ - and just have a jolly good time essentially. Off they went sleuthing. I carried on typing! Although I wasn’t a major cast member in the script, I had kind of invented one for myself. By trade I’m a journalist, so why not do some research, and create how it might have been reported in 1959? As the weeks went on, the ideas became more crazy. It was fascinating looking at old photos to see that actually - reporters in the 50s in the UK were quite smart looking. The ‘Cheriton Times’ came to be invented. The props were all real… a genuine 1950s Oliver portable typewriter came from a trip down to Dorchester… there was a genuine Bakelite phone with authentic number label… and a beautiful Ensign Ranger II camera. I even managed to get
As the weeks went on, the ideas became more crazy
Pictures: Craig Robertson and David Cradduck
a Hampshire Cricket Club Handbook! I wondered if anyone would pitch up in a vintage car? As I arrived, my dreams came true. Just look at what was parked outside the hall. Not just one, but two! People had taken the effort to dress up. Not just the cast. Since the production, Cheriton Players have handed a cheque for £768 to the village hall - 75% of the profits from Another Murder in Cheriton. That makes the Players’ net contribution to the campaign to date, across three events in five months, £3500. I loved being part of this. But next day, my hands ached. Why? Ah yes… the typewriter!
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS FROM CHERITON PLAYERS “Cheriton Players have great pleasure in congratulating Winchester Today on achieving five years - and are very proud to be associated with this fine journal. The support they have shown over the years, both in print and on the radio, has been immense. Happy Birthday, WT!”
Ewe Matter! More than 1600 school leavers ‘flock’ to Cathedral.
Happy 5th Birthday Winchester Today! From the team at plasticbox.co.uk
YEAR Six pupils from 60 Church of England schools across Hampshire attended three leavers’ services at Winchester Cathedral recently as they prepared to move on to secondary school - with some special animals in tow! Earlier this year, fibreglass sheep were delivered to church schools across Hampshire - they were then decorated by pupils, often with the assistance of worshippers from local parishes, particularly those from the older generation. The project sought to help students to think positively about their self-worth as well as the value of the skills and experience of people from older generations. The entire flock of almost fifty brightly decorated sheep was assembled at the front of Winchester Cathedral for the services. An array of creative designs were on display, with some sheep sporting eyelashes, whilst others were adorned with a range of stripes, gems
Pictured: The Bishop of Winchester with Year Six children from St Mary’s Bentworth with their six ewes – the most of any school.
and symbols representing the values of each school and their geographical location. The Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Rev Tim Dakin, was delighted to welcome so many children: “These leavers’ services marked a poignant moment for children as they prepare to open the next chapter of their lives and move on to secondary school. It was great to have so many young people in the Cathedral and to deliver the important message that the Parable of the Lost Sheep tells.” Jeff Williams is Director of Education for the Winchester and Portsmouth dioceses: “Throughout this project people have been extraordinarily enthusiastic – not just the schoolchildren, but their teachers, governors and support staff too! This project has been a lot of fun – but it has also had a serious message, encouraging young people to learn from the older generation and reminding them of how important positive self-worth is.”
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