On Winchester Now this week:
- We tap into creativity in the city this weekend, discovering more about tomorrow’s Winchester Poetry Day activities taking place at The Arc.
- Did you know that around 80% of disabilities are invisible or hidden? Unseen Aware is on a mission to ensure that those with hidden disabilities are better served. We speak to Simon Houghton to discover more.
- News-in-brief:
- There have been some unexpected delays in the building works for the new St. Clement’s Surgery in the city centre. The anticipated completion date is now 16th December, with the GP Practice moving-in in January.
- Winchester City Council is launching a new ‘Essential Digital Skills’ programme from Monday. On offer are tailored 1-2-1s, workshops, and Microsoft Office-accredited courses using refurbished laptops.It’s free of charge to all residents, and further information is available via the Winchester City Council website.
- There’s been a rise in the number of push-bike thefts in the city in recent weeks. A Neighbourhood Police Team will be at a Bike Marking event tomorrow from 12-3pm outside Bespoke Biking, by the Brooks Shopping Centre. This is an opportunity to have your bike marked with your postcode and entered onto the Bike Register, which greatly increases the chance of recovering a stolen bike.
- Hampshire County Council has announced that a by-election will be held on Thursday 31st October in the Bishops Waltham electoral division, following the retirement of the local authority’s former Leader, Councillor Rob Humby.
- Winchester Samaritans are launching a new campaign to help improve mental health in the workplace. They are looking for local firms to join a network to practise and share ideas.
- The team at Winchester ParkRun are inviting you to join them tomorrow morning, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of “parkrun” – whether you’re running, jogging, walking or volunteering!
- Gardening is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, be closer to nature and switch off. And even if you do not have your own outdoor garden space, there’s plenty of opportunities to grow plants in pots, or be part of an allotment. We speak to Charles Jennings, Chair of the Stanmore Gardening Club, for some inspiration.
- Shout-outs
- To local charity “Play to the Crowd”, which has been awarded the title “Theatre of Sanctuary” in recognition of their welcome and support for refugees and asylum-seekers.
- To the Highcliffe Community Forum for Action volunteers, who have undertaken a Community Mow of the wildflower meadow which the group established at the Gordon Avenue play area.
- To the hundreds of people, including the Mayor of Winchester, who are setting off on Saturday evening on the Purple Night Walk to raise money for the Winchester Hospice.
- To the hundreds of runners taking part on Sunday in the Rotary Clarendon Marathon events. And also to all the volunteers and charities helping on the day, and who make this event possible every year.
