Winchester Today 19 February 2024

Monday 19 February 2024

www.winchestertoday.co.uk

ARE WE NEARLY THERE YET? Sunday 18 February 2024, 0920: Just some of the hundreds of runners taking part in this year’s Winchester 10k, as they round the corner of Andover Road and Worthy Lane, being cheered on by stewards and friends alike. Despite raining for most of the night, the clouds gave way to blue sky and sunshine the moment we took these pictures. Online donations made through the web page created by race organisers Challenging Events are going to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

Local Young Talent Shines Through page 28

Cross Country Runners Brave The Mud

page 30

Fighting Back After Stroke

page 2-4

Images: Winchester Today Images: University Hospital Southampton

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

PICTURE OF THE WEEK This is Carter Bayley, a boy who suffered a rare stroke at the age of two has survived and is said to be making a remarkable recovery – thanks to quick acting parents and an expert medical team at Southampton Children’s Hospital.

Read his story: >>

Images: University Hospital Southampton The parents of Carter Bayley were told to prepare for the worst as he was rushed into the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) to try and reduce the brain swelling. The toddler had suffered a rare form of stroke that effects less than 100 children a year in the UK. But now, thanks to the expertise of paediatric intensive care, the neurology teams and a specialist neurological rehabilitation

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

team at SCH Carter returned home just in time to celebrate his third birthday.

Carter was having a bath when his mum Elise and dad Lawrence noticed a sudden drop on the right-hand side of his face – and Elise says they knew something wasn’t right: “I think I knew it was a stroke after that, I remembered seeing the Act FAST campaign featuring an older gentleman on TV and it looked the same. I had never heard of a toddler having a stroke before, but I just knew we had to get him to hospital.”

The youngster had in fact suffered an arterial ischemic stroke within the middle cerebral artery on the left-hand side of his brain – described as ‘rare’ in a two-year-old.

He was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit where he was put into a medically induced coma, stabilised and neuroprotected - a strategy which aims to slow the progression of the loss of brain neurons.

With this type of stroke there is a high risk of the brain swelling, so Carter remained closely monitored by the clinical team, with frequent scans, over his several days in PICU.

Images: University Hospital Southampton

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

“It was the worst time for us all. We were told Carter’s type of stroke was severe and to prepare for the worst, but we were always hopeful. “Nobody could tell us for sure what the future was going to look like and if Carter would survive”.

After four days of round-the clock care, Carter made significant improvement and was transferred to the paediatric high dependency unit where he started an intensive rehabilitation programme with the Southampton Children’s Integrated Rehabilitation Team [SCIRT] - a specialist multi-disciplinary team at SCH that runs alongside a child’s medical and surgical needs.

Southampton is just one of a handful of children’s hospitals in the UK that has such a unique service, enabling rehab to begin at the earliest stage of recovery.

Dr Georgina Bird-Lieberman is consultant paediatric neurologist and SCIRT: “Carter suffered a severe stroke and was initially put to sleep in intensive care to protect his brain. When he was woken, he was unable to communicate and was severely weak on the right side of his body. It was important that the SCIRT team started his rehabilitation as soon as possible.

“Having SCIRT, an on-site team, allows for immediate intervention with patients, and we know from research that starting rehab as soon as medically appropriate leads to better outcomes and reduced length of admission.

“We offer a complete bespoke service, and with Carter being so young, we took a very playful approach to his rehab. Despite the extent of Carter’s stroke, he has made a remarkable recovery which is testament to his resilience and the support he has received”.

Initially Carter’s cognitive skills were very limited. He could not communicate or walk and struggled with his right sided weakness, particularly his right arm. After six weeks of intense daily rehabilitation, he was making progress with his speech, had partial use of his right hand back and could take a few aided steps.

Having astounded medics with the speed of his recovery, Carter is now back home, learning to take a few independent steps one day at a time and continuing his rehabilitation as an outpatient.

Andrea Whitney is consultant paediatric neurologist at SCH, and describes this type of stroke as ‘rare’ in a two-year-old, especially as Carter had no underlying cause: “We were lucky that his parents spotted the signs fast, which enabled us to diagnose his condition and stabilise him as quickly as possible”.

“We’re all thrilled with the speed in which Carter has recovered, this is attributed not only to the fast actions of his parents and their unwavering strength but also to our dedicated neuro team from our excellent SCIRT service – something we are incredibly lucky to have at Southampton Children’s Hospital”.

Images: University Hospital Southampton

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From soothing massages to rejuvenating facials, our trained spa therapists will take care of your every need.

Unwind in our newly renovated spa facilities, including a new plunge-pool, hydro-pool, steam room and sauna.

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

Hampshire farm shop shortlisted for national award A farm shop based in the heart of the Meon Valley has been shortlisted for a national award to recognise its dedication and service to the farming industry.

Westlands Farm Shop at Pricketts Hill near Wickham is in the running to be crowned the Family Business of the Year as part of the National Family Business United annual awards.

The family-run farm shop has been the cornerstone of the Meon Valley since 2001. Business partner Graham and his wife Kayleigh Collett are the second generation to be involved in the running of Westlands Farm.

The Farm Shop was established by Graham’s parents in 2001. Since then, the family business has undergone three refurbishments.

Kayleigh says they are really excited to be shortlisted for a national award. “We love operating as a family business because of all the skills and knowledge we have gained over the years, and each generation has something new to bring to the business partnership. We would love to be able to pass our farming experience on to our children too.

“Supporting independent and family run businesses like us is really important because we help economies to thrive.

“Around 50 percent of our revenue is reinvested into local supply chains every year - whether it be supporting suppliers, sourcing products from independent businesses or paying people’s wages.”

It’s the twelfth year of the Family Business United Awards and the panel of judges includes business leaders from across the UK. The winners will be announced in June.

Pictured l-r: Graham Collett, Kayleigh Collett, Olwen Collett, and Steve Collett.

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

Mlambo To The Rescue Winchester City 1 Hanwell Town 1 Southern League Premier South Saturday 17 February 2024 Simba Mlambo came off the bench to rescue a late point for Winchester City in a 1-1 draw at home to Hanwell Town on Saturday afternoon, writes Matt Richbell.

IK Hill started for City, as did Jordan Rose in central defence alongside Stuart Mott. Simba Mlambo was on the bench alongside Ollie Griggs, Olly Balmer, Pip Nolan and Henry Brooks.

Dan Jones came close to putting City ahead as early as the second minute when he was supplied by IK Hill, but he was unable to make the opportunity count.

Playing The Music From Your Life… here’s a guide to your radio listening this week on Winchester Today: Monday to Friday 0900-1300 Kevin Gover, including the Golden Hour at 0900.

Monday 19 February 1978 Tuesday 20 February 1987

Image: Josh Barrett Tommy Wright (pictured) had the next opportunity after ten minutes, when he headed over from a Jamie Barron flick on.

Stuart Mott also came close for City midway through the first-half, but the defender headed home.

Hanwell had a spell of pressure and they took the lead at this time through a deflected effort that snuck past Luke Cairney at his near post, and that goal was the difference at half-time.

Wednesday 21 February 1981 Thursday 22 February 1975 Friday 23 February 1972 1300: The Lunchtime Express

At the interval, Tommy Wright was replaced by Simba Mlambo as City looked for a route back into the game.

Olly Balmer and Ollie Griggs both also joined proceedings around the hour mark in place of Smith and Barron as City

1400: Tony Simon

pushed for a leveller.

1700: Jon Gripton, including ‘The Big Book of Birthdays’.

The elusive equaliser eventually came on 78 minutes.

1900: Jess Garner with his Mighty Fine Tunes.

There was a scramble in the box before the ball broke to

2100: The Golden Hour

Simba Mlambo and he fired home from close range.

2200: The No Sleeping Zone! While others send you to sleep, we do exactly the opposite!

Both sides settled for a share of the spoils and City are

Saturday 24 February includes Jon Gripton’s

Town.

Party Zone at 1700 Sunday 25 February includes Chrissie Pollard at 1000, and ArtsPlus at 1700.

DAB+ between us and on

Find us on DAB+, TuneIn or your smart speaker.

back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Poole

CHER I TON PL AY ER S PR ESEN T

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STEPHEN BRIGGS AN AMATEUR PERFORMANCE OF THIS DISCWORLD � PL AY

23rd-27t h Apr i l 2024 www.thecheritonplayers.org.uk Tickets £13 available online from www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheritonplayers or tel 0333 666 3366 (standard rates apply).

All telephone bookings are handled through TicketSource – this is not an exclusive number for Cheriton Players.

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Happy New Year from Pearsons!

Last year was un unpredictable market, even for the usually very resilient Winchester market. We are pleased to notice much better levels of interest across the board even this early in 2024. Buyer confidence started to stabilise in November and December 2023 and has surged in the first weeks of the year. With interest rates holding, mortgage lenders being more competitive and stable with their products and vendors that have waiting now coming to market, we anticipate a fruitful ‘bounce-back’ year.

If you are considering moving over the next year or simply interested in the price of your property – please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you. In the meantime, have a lovely festive season!

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

Fun For The Family – Young And Old! The Theatre Royal in Winchester has a whole host of family shows to enjoy… here’s an idea of what’s happening.

Buffy Revamped, Tuesday 20 February, 7.30pm Houdini’s Great Escape, Thursday 22 – Saturday 24 February, various times Zog and the Flying Doctors, Friday 08 – Sun 10 March, various times Science Museum: The Live Stage Show, Sunday 17 March, 1.30pm The Gruffalo’s Child, Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 March, various times Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book, Tuesday 02 – Wednesday 03 April, various times Dear Zoo, Saturday 06 – Sunday 07 April, various times The Singing Mermaid, Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 April, various times Cillian O’Connor: My Magic World, Tuesday 30 July, 7pm

Call the Box Office on 01962 840440 or see the website at theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

Review: Les Misérables – Titchfield Festival Theatre – Stage One Youth Theatre 15 February 2024 Review: David Cradduck What a lucky chap I am: I not only get to see loads of wonderful shows, in a variety of venues from village halls to 2,500 seaters, professional or otherwise, but occasionally I’m invited to new venues (to me) and to see talented young people making an indelible new stamp on performing.

One such production is Les Misérables at Titchfield Festival Theatre by Stage One Youth Theatre, a Portsmouth based group.

Originally spawned from Solent Theatre Company, this talented and enthusiastic theatre company has gone from strength to strength, it appears, with an ever-growing pool of talent and a long list of well known previous productions including Legally Blonde, Grease, Cats and Oliver!.

I can safely say that their latest production, the School Edition of Les Misérables, is one of the best, most complex, nonprofessional shows I have ever seen, and the fact that it is a youth production (though you wouldn’t really know it) makes the wow factor even greater.

The School Edition is an abridged and somewhat sanitised version of the original musical version by Alain Boubil and ClaudeMichel Schonberg’s 1985 stage show, produced by Cameron Mackintosh with The Royal Shakespeare Company. But neither is it short (it could really do with starting at 7pm) nor has any of the grit, social injustice and poverty of early 19th century France been glossed over in an effort to make it suitable and relevant for a youth production.

It is a clever adaptation that dramatises the sort of events that Victor Hugo, whose novel it is based upon, witnessed firsthand in France at a time when child abuse and exploitation were as rife as the political unrest that followed, culminating in the 1832 Paris Uprising.

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

Steve Clark, chair of Stage One, told me – with some justifiable pride – that there were no fewer than 49 children and young people performing on stage at the opening performance last night, plus an army of friends, parents, helpers and volunteers behind the scenes. The logistics of putting on a show on this scale are staggering (and not cheap).

The show revolves around main protagonist ex-convict Jean Valjean, whose only original crime was to steal bread for his starving family. It follows his story, the relationship he has with his nemesis ex-jailer Javert, breaking his parole but only to do good in the world, against the backdrop of what was going on in France at the time, in much the same way as Dickens exposed the awful conditions that the poor suffered in England in a similar time frame. Valjean’s story is a metaphor of sorts and the back stories and plot follow a parallel course: death, injustice, poverty, child exploitation, crime, greed and suffering do not make for happy endings but love and justice win over in the end.

It is difficult to pick out individual performers from this exceptional cast, as they are all of a staggeringly high calibre and all deserve applause. Robbie Joiner, as Valjean, has the meatiest role for sure and gives his all throughout. There are no less than 14 other principals, including Casper Horn as young student Marius and his love interest Cosette played by Lucy Menghan; the larger-than-life Finlay Harkness as authoritarian Javert is imposing and highly plausible; Caitlin Biddlecombe as the highly unlikeable innkeeper’s crooked wife Madame Thénardier puts in one half of a formidable and entertaining double act, matched

by Jack Edwards as her equally detestable other half. The sorry plight of unmarried mother Fantine is superbly enacted by Heidi Butcher in the first half of the show (she has no fewer than three realistic wigs in quick succession as Fantine’s lovely locks are cruelly cut and then grow back over time).

Special mention for Jasper Croser-Neely whose somewhat Artful Dodger-esque performance as young, streetwise, lovable and cheeky rogue Gavroche is deserving of the applause he received. Likewise, Ella Burgos as Éponine delivers a beautifully understated performance. Her singing voice, as with all the others, is clear, obviously trained and a joy to listen to.

And so it goes on… as the narrative takes place over a long time frame, there are younger versions of certain characters, like the talented Laila Berry as young Cosette and Evie Payne-Simmons as young Éponine. Forgive me if I have not mentioned everyone – simply everyone from the leads to the ensemble and supporting roles plays a crucial part in the show. It is interesting to note that many of the young performers are studying musical theatre or similar at Chichester College; it comes as no surprise to learn that Paul Clements, the director teaches musical theatre at many colleges and universities, including

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

Chichester. A brief resumé of the cast biographies reveal that most of them are musically talented or have backgrounds in the performing arts.

Likewise the production staff have enormous experience between them – joining director Paul Clements are Kim Seagrove as Musical Director and Helen Wallis as Choreographer; ‘Les Mis’ is very much a musical, but it is difficult music, providing as it does the constant narrative and dialogue throughout. Singing and moving to these sometimes-impossible numbers with more words crammed into a note or line than is comfortable, embracing complex harmonies, cross-singing, and demanding a somewhat loud (almost ‘shouty’) style of delivery for dramatic effect, I would imagine makes for long music and movement rehearsals. Costume Designer and wardrobe mistress Rachel Grech’s must have had some sleepless nights procuring and making over 350 costumes with the help of her seamstress mum Linda Bugg.

Combine all this with the set – boasting a revolving stage and gigantic video wall with clever backdrop images drawn in pencil overlaid with constant, subtle, animated, smoke effect, the necessary but not over-used stage smoke, an orchestra that is loud, clear and just there, the other important element is lighting. The lighting must have taken hours and hours to rig and plot. Moving LEDs and spots swivel and flood both stage and audience on occasions.

Fierce gun battles come alive with a combination of flashes from spotlights, red floods and explosions to supplement the musical score; follow spots never fail to follow; the stage marks, if there any, are imperceptible as lights instantly pick out performers and objects with dramatic effect; backlighting plays as important a part as the rest, rather like the miners approaching the audience in the opening sequence of Billy Elliot; tricky manoeuvres on stage are cleverly masked by lighting and darkness.

An absolute masterpiece in staging, making this production one of the most polished and professional shows I have seen on a youth stage.

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Tickets from £14.50 Box Office 01962 840 440 theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

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DAY OF FUN!

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The sights and sounds of WinQeilidh – just part of a showcase of local music and voice which is coming to The Arc this month. Sound Winchester launches with a day-long FREE event on 17 February.

Starting at 9.30 am and running to 3.30pm, there will be demos, jams, performances, and workshops.

It isn’t just about music though; Sound Winchester will also feature poetry and dance. There will be opportunities to meet and chat with the city’s music makers, writers and teachers and have a go yourself, playing instruments and writing songs. Enjoy!

Winchester DAB+ is back page 2

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MBE Presented

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Encouraging female involvement in science

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

It’s Back!

Very Soon!

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

Easy ways to advertise with Winchester Today!

If you would like to advertise with us, we have kept it very simple for you.

There are two ways: Online Only and Full Online Only: Only £35 / month. This gives you a 1/4 page ad in the online newspaper every Monday. No minimum spend, advertise when you like ahead of a campaign. And, like our friends at BA, now and then we’ll upgrade you to a full page!

Full: £95 / month. You get a full page ad in the online newspaper Full every week and daily coverage on the radio station, with the radio coverage exactly to your choice.

You can have traditional radio adverts across the day or choose to be associated with a show, like ‘Playmakers’ have done on Jon Gripton’s show every evening. ‘A World of Furniture’ is associated with Kevin’s show every morning. ‘Pearsons’ support our Saturday radio programmes. ‘Sarker World of Dance’ supports our Saturday Night Party.

Ring 01962 458452 and speak to Kevin

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Please Support Please SupportOur OurAdvertisers Advertisersand andSupporters!

Supporters!

Monday 19 February 2024 December Monday 12 February2023 2024 December 2023

Without them, we simply would not be here. All our arts supporters allow us to see their shows and report Without them, we simply would not be here. All our arts supporters allow us to see their shows and report back so that YOU can make your own mind up! back so that YOU can make your own mind up!

Many thanks to: to: Many thanks A World Of Of Furniture, Chandler’s Ford A World Furniture, Chandler’s Ford Pearsons Estate Agents, Southgate Street Pearsons Estate Agents, Southgate Street Mayflower, Southampton Mayflower, Southampton

Sarker SarkerDanceworks Danceworks Theatre TheatreRoyal, Royal, Winchester Winchester Chesil ChesilTheatre Theatre MASTSouthampton Southampton MAST JaneAusten’s Austen’sHouse House Jane TheAnvil, Anvil,Basingstoke Basingstoke The CheritonPlayers Players(left) (left) Cheriton

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

Les Misérables Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre The Point, Eastleigh Retview: Helena Gomm

Victor Hugo’s very adult tale of almost unremitting misery, performed by 101 singers all under the age of 18 (some of them under 11), and featuring a revolving stage, loud gunfire and choking smoke? It sounds like a recipe for disaster, but it certainly isn’t, as the Centrestage Youth Theatre ably demonstrates.

What is, perhaps, most striking about this production is the confidence exuded by all the performers, even the very youngest. And with the numbers involved, all credit to director Mike Mullen and his team for getting them on and off stage with the minimum of fuss. The revolving stage plays its part, not only portraying the passage of time and the movement of the performers from place to place, but providing a handy device for spinning them round and off through a very large doorway at the back of the stage. Most of the scene changes are handled speedily and efficiently by both performers and stage crew, so there are hardly any breaks in the action of this energetic show.

And the whole thing is held together by a splendid orchestra, conducted by Ian Partridge.

The principals are all fantastic, giving emotional performances which drag out of the story every ounce of pathos and every gram of heroic stoicism in the face of adversity. Sometimes the emotion gets in the way of the notes, but you can’t fault the performers for their commitment and enthusiasm.

Alfie Flynn gives a strong performance as Jean Valjean and seems to manage to age as the production progresses, gradually morphing from hot-headed young convict intobattered-by-life-but-still-standing hero. This provides a

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

strong contrast with Jack Fenner’s youthful and endearing Marius –supplying, together with Cosette, all the hope for the future.

Liv Harder, Lily Rochard and Abby Bamber-Browndifferentiate their characters nicely. They all have lovely voices, with Liv bringing just the right amount of sweetness to the role of Cosette, and Abby making a heart-rendingly desperate Fantine, the single mother trying to provide for her child. Lily makes an interesting Eponine; her unrequited love for Marius becomes quite painful to watch, and she portrays well Eponine’s conflicting emotions when Marius uses her as a go-between between himself and Cosette. We are never quite sure whether she is actually going to do it, though innate goodness wins out in the end.

Roo Westbrook plays Cosette as a child, singing ‘Castle on a Cloud’ with great confidence for someone so young. And Coralie Havard makes a splendidly feisty Gavroche, clambering over the set with obvious enjoyment. Jacob Schrader as Enjolras gives us the sort of charismatic leader you just might want to follow onto the barricades.

For comic relief, we have Will Vokes as Thénardier, the thieving, fleecing landlord and Emma Hatherell as his equally grasping, pilfering wife. They make a splendid couple, repulsive but amusing at the same time. Their rendition of ‘Master of the House’ is hilarious.

For me, however, the standout performance is that of Jimmi Donnelly as Javert, Valjean’s nemesis, who spends his life pursuing the ex-con, sure in his belief of ‘once a thief, always a thief’. Jimmi has a wonderful strong voice and sings with accuracy and conviction. He dominates all the scenes he is in,and his transformation from fanatical pursuer of the law to a broken man shattered by the realisation that he has been hounding a better person than himself is utterly convincing.

The principals benefit from the excellent backing of a large and versatile chorus, playing everything from factory workers,prostitutes and students to the downtrodden poor of Paris.

This is a stunning show, which gives yet another indication of the wealth of talent displayed by many of the young people in our area.

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

Sport Extra

Alresford Town drew 3-3 away at Romsey Town in Wessex League Division One. Scott Hills scored twice for Alresford and Harry Higby bagged the other goal for the Magpies. The result leaves Alresford in fourth position, six points behind league leaders, Downton.

Town are next playing next Saturday, when they travel over to the Isle-of-Wight to take on East Cowes Vics.

Winchester Rugby Club’s unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday afternoon, as they lost out narrowly 15-12 away at Newbury Blues. The Blues were struggling for form going in to the game, so the victory for them boosts their survival chances.

For Winchester, it is a home game on Saturday 2nd March next, against Jersey.

The University of Winchester’s Cross Country team made its own piece of history when it competed in the British Universities & Colleges Cross Country sport event held at Temple Newsom in Leeds. Winchester was able to field a strong team thanks to the elite sport programme created in the Autumn. Jess Hayward also represented the University in the women’s event. The course was said to be one of the toughest ever prepared, with thick mud throughout. Pictured l-r Adam Homes, Harry Harvey, Jess Hayward, Callum Lorimer, Jack le Tissier.

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arts

Monday 5 February 2024

If you missed our special interview ahead of The Sleeping Beauty with BRB Ambassador Darcey Bussell, just go to our issue from Monday 22 January.

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arts

Monday 5 February 2024

Restoration

For a fascinating look at how theatre costumes are restored, please take a look at our feature in the Winchester Today edition from Monday 29 January.

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arts

Monday 5 February 2024

Part 2 of the Winchester Film Festival 2024 is almost here, with Winchester Today proud to be involved once more, as we have almost since Day 1. Festival Director John Hayes tells us more: “At Winchester Film Festival we offer a selection of award winning films from across the globe that broaden horizons, provoke debate and reflect the burning issues of our time. And for every challenging, provocative and thoughtprovoking film we seek to screen a film that tickles the senses and makes our audience laugh.

This year, we also have an unprecedented array of national and international award-winning directors, producers, scriptwriters and actors in attendance for audience Q&As after the films.

“The theme for 12th edition of the festival is The edge of Reason’, with protagonists crossing the ‘invisible line’ with a variety of consequences - some funny, some sad, some scary, some empowering and all transformative.

“To ensure that everyone can enjoy the festival, this year we have launched a new Culture for All policy, which includes concessions not only for students, under-twenty-fives and over sixty-fives, but also for anyone on low income. And for those who still can’t afford a ticket, we offer a fee waiver”.

“We believe film to be a vital tool in the battle for freedom of expression. This year we have deepened our commitment to supporting free-spirited, independent filmmakers censored in their own countries with a series of screenings entitled Whispers from Iran.”.

12th edition Book NOW! 2024

Concessions <25 >65 Students Low income

winchesterfilmfestival.com Winchesterfilm

Winchesterfilm

Winchester Film Fest

Box Office

“

Laugh | Cry | Think | Flinch

Award winning films that astonish, entertain, broaden horizons, provoke debate and reflect the burning issues of our time, selected from 5 continents and over 60 countries.

Best

Foreign Shorts

23 February

Best

British Shorts

29 February

Whispers from

Iran

1 March

winchesterfilmfestival.com

7 March

2024

35 winchestertoday.co.uk winchestertoday.co.uk

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Monday 19 February 2024 December 2023

DAB+ Radio Update: As you may have read elsewhere, our DAB+ radio service is back on, and we are broadcasting from our new transmitter at Flagstaff Stables, near Crabwood Farm. This follows a considerable but necessary consultation period carried out by the regulator Ofcom throughout January.

You can now enjoy us on the move if you have a DAB+ receiver in your car, or at home on TuneIn and via your smart speaker. Ask Alexa: “Alexa, play Winchester Today.”

Project:Alfie150 – supporting the training of young journalists in Winchester since 2012.

Our training days for anyone aged 16-25 and interested in a career in media will be open for applications very soon. This is provided through our training team: media professionals determined to pass on their skills to the media professionals of the future. Initially, the details will be released to schools in the Winchester District. Last time, sessions were sold out. Don’t miss out!

Contact: Thank you for reading the online version of the Winchester Today newspaper. We publish every Monday morning. If you would like to get in contact with us either for editorial or advertising purposes, please ring 01962 458452.

Our email address is news@winchestertoday.co.uk Winchester Today, 47 Southgate Street, Winchester SO23 9EH. Managing Editor: Kevin Gover. Layout Design: Grace Pradhan. Contributors: David Cradduck, Jon Gripton, Helena Gomm, Beccy Conway, Sophia Sample, Tony Simon, Chrissie Pollard, Matt Richbell, Jan Conway, Jack Shaw, Mark Ponsford, Eleanor Marsden, Jess Garner and Rachel Gover