On Winchester now this week:
- A few months ago, Michelle Williams could barely climb a few steps but now, she has completed a challenge to climb 7 hills in 7 days, including St Catherine’s Hill, Magdalen Hill Down and Farley Mount. Michelle spent a year in hospital with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, and her fundraising efforts raised money for the Anthony Nolan charity. She spoke to Mary Blaxland about her story.
- News-in-brief:
- Plans to build a new town at Micheldever have been rejected by the Government. The area was put forward by developers as a potential site for up to 20,000 homes, in December last year, but the site was not picked by Labour’s New Town Taskforce.
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has urged people to attend A&E only in a life-threatening emergency, as the department is facing severe demand and long waits. The Trust is also urging people to collect loved ones as soon as they are ready to be discharged from hospital, so that staff can help others needing care.
- The Winchester Birth Centre opened at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital this week. It provides midwife-led care for pregnant women, offering enhanced facilities and more choices.
- South Central Ambulance Service is among the first NHS sites in the country to install solar panels at one of its locations – the Winchester and Eastleigh resource centre, one of 4 locations in the Trust’s estate, in a move that could cut bills by over £32k a year.
- A special evensong service is being held at Winchester Cathedral next Friday, to remember everyone affected by homelessness. It marks World Homeless Day, and charities who work supporting people experiencing homelessness will be present at the service.
- Police investigating reports of parcel thefts around the Winchester District, have made an arrest. Officers received 98 reports of thefts between 31st August and 23rd September. Customers reported receiving notifications to say parcels had been delivered, when they had not.
- Winchester’s award-winning visitor attraction, 878 AD, has closed. It follows rising costs, inflation and rent increases at the Brooks Centre. The attraction combined augmented reality, with live performance and historic objects. Hampshire Cultural Trust says it hopes to use the same innovative approach at other venues in the city, including the Great Hall and the Westgate Museum.
- The Winchester Poetry Festival takes place from 10th to 12th October at the Arc but with online and fringe events throughout next week. Organisers say the biennial festival aims to share, showcase, celebrate and champion great poetry as a means of bringing people together and enriching lives. Mary Blaxland spoke to the Festival’s Chair of Trustees, Jane Bryant.
- The Wessex Rotary Shoebox Scheme collects and sends shoeboxes filled with presents, to disadvantaged children in Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, and Ukraine, ensuring they receive them in time for Christmas. Last year, 18,000 boxes were dispatched. Winchester Rotary’s Colin Cook tells Anna O’Brien more about it.
- Shout-outs:
- To everyone who got involved and supported events across the area for Winchester Green Week.There was a wealth of knowledge shared and enthusiasm for ‘growing greener together’ in our community.
- To all the young people who completed the Hampshire Libraries “Summer Reading Challenge” which ran through to September. This year, over 10,550 children finished the challenge and over 70,940 books were read!
- To local charity Winchester GoLD whose members do such an amazing job gardening around Winchester Railway Station – their planters look beautiful, thanks to the hard work and dedication of their members, and this makes the area look inviting and welcoming for all.
- To the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, who have created a new Boardwalk at Winnall Nature Reserve, enabling a more accessible route for everyone to meander through the peaceful environment there and enjoy this beautiful wetland haven, on our doorstep.
- To everyone who took part in last weekend’s Marwell 10k. Teams included staff from Marwell participating to raise money for the zoo’s ‘Save Our Stripes’ Appeal – raising vital funds to support the Marwell team of community scouts and replace the current old vehicle they’re using in their daily work tracking zebra, engaging with local communities and protecting this endangered species across vast and rugged terrain.
- To everyone taking part in the various Clarendon Marathon races this Sunday. The efforts of over 200 volunteers make this event possible every year. Our volunteers at Winchester Radio look forward to cheering all runners over the Finish line on the day!
