March 2014
… 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
Monthly • Issue 012
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Inside
Escape: Paris with a difference... Page 12
Gospel Choir to leave legacy in Winchester Page 15 EXCLUSIVE
Sunshine After The Rain? MP chairs two vital post-flood meetings kevin.gover@winchestertoday.co.uk
councils and to government and see if we need any investment, where it needs to go and how much I need to fight for that money for our constituency.”
Following the worst winter on record, Winchester’s MP Steve Brine has held post-flood meetings with local constituents and experts to see how flooding could be prevented here in the future.
On their second set of visits to the rural parishes of the Winchester District to view the impact of the floods, the Mayor and Mayoress of Winchester paid tribute to the contribution of the armed forces.
Steve told Winchester Today that residents have not only asked for help in fighting what was happening in February - but that they also needed reassurance: “They’ve also been looking to the future and asking what can be done to prevent it happening again. I will take what they’ve said back to the
Cllr and Mrs Ernie Jeffs were escorted on a five-hour trip to Twyford and Hambledon by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Rob Humby. Together, they viewed houses damaged by water and sewage and businesses which had seen regular trade fall by up to 50%.
By News Editor Kevin Gover
Councillor Humby told Winchester Today that he was moved by what he witnessed: “We see flood pictures on the television so regularly now that it’s easy to feel they are part and parcel of everyday life. But for those who have to deal with the aftermath of flooding, we are talking about months of cleaning up, insurance claims and redecorating. And on top of all that, there’s the emotional strain – worrying about money, about health and about whether this will all happen again in a few months’ time. I felt quite emotional by the end of the visit.” Cllr Jeffs says he’s deeply impressed by the rallying-round:
“At a time when local people were beginning to feel really exhausted by the continued physical and emotional effort of fighting the floodwater, the armed forces have played a vital role in sustaining morale and confidence.
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“The Winchester District has been extremely fortunate in having help from a number of regiments, working on innovative major projects like the Easton river barrier and also essential local activities such as manning the pumps overnight in Hambledon. They have been well co-ordinated, genuinely keen to help and delightful additions to the local community. I would like to thank all those who have been involved.”
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And at least somebody enjoyed the floods... Photo of Lisa Faye and her dog Sam in Sutton Scotney by Matt Todd. Main photo of daffodils struggling through in Hyde by Joe Low.