On Winchester Now this week:
- Hampshire Hospital’s CEO, Alex Whitfield shares her thoughts on the government’s ‘Fit for the Future – NHS 10 Year Plan’ with us, and we discuss initiatives supporting patient care, such as Virtual Wards. HHFT will hold their AGM online next Wednesday 17th September – register online via the Trust’s website to join the meeting and hear updates on achievements and challenges the Trust faces.
- News-in-brief:
- The government has announced this week that all RAAC material will be removed from the Royal Hampshire County Hospital by March 2026. The removal is part of a 440 million pound funding package to clear it from hospitals across the country.
- It’s National Rural Crime Action Week, and Hampshire Police’s Rural Crime Task Force, has recovered around 160-thousand pounds worth of stolen goods over this year. Extra patrols are in place.
- Plans have been unveiled to turn former offices within ‘Three Ministers House’, at the top of the High Street in Winchester, into more than 30 new flats. If the plans are approved, the building will be converted into five floors of accommodation
- A lecturer and two students from the University of Winchester, have visited schools and communities in Ghana, to take part in a project to combat plastic pollution. They went to see the work of Winchester based charity ‘Trashy Bags Africa’.
- And, dates have been announced for Winchester’s annual Christmas Market in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral – it will open on Friday 21st November through to Monday 22nd December. It is regularly voted one of the best Christmas Markets in the UK.
A restored turret clock from the Elizabethan era has returned to St John the Baptist Church in Winchester. It is one of the oldest working clocks in the UK. It was welcomed back this week at a special reception. Mary Blaxland was there to find out more.
- A number of arts venues are taking part in this year’s Heritage Open Days Festival, with many of them having open days and backstage tours this weekend, including the volunteer-run Chesil Theatre, who are in the midst of a major fundraising project to expand and add a theatre annexe to the side of the original medieval listed building they show performances in. Winchester Radio’s Anna O’Brien followed up on our report last week on the demolition of the neighbouring property, to go along and speak to one the trustees of the Chesil Theatre for an update and their future plans this season.
- Community Shout-outs:
- To the nearly 200 adults with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities who participated in the recent 2025 Winchester Personal Bests event, and all the volunteers and coaches who made it possible
- To Dr Tania Gilbert, working at Marwell Wildlife, near Winchester, who has been presented with a rare ‘Zoo and Aquarium Hero Award’ in recognition for her long-term conservation work.
- To Winchester MP, Danny Chambers who has received a Political Purpose Award this week for his continued efforts in parliament driving forward animal welfare reform.
- To the organisers and volunteers of the recent ‘Access All Areas’ free family fun day held in Stanmore. More than 600 people attended the event.
- To all those involved organising this year’s Littleton and Harestock Show. Money raised this year will support the work of 3 local charities: The Boaz Project, Winchester Youth Counselling and Home Start Winchester and Districts.
- To the United Church on Jewry Street – providing a welcoming, safe space for our local Ukrainian community for more than 3 years. The Winchester Ukrainian Cultural Association expressed their thanks on social media this week. Winchester is proud to be a City of Sanctuary, welcoming to all.
