On Winchester Now this week:
- You might think it’s too early to start thinking about Christmas but not for the stars of this year’s panto at the Theatre Royal, Winchester. “Puss in Boots” is this year’s production and the cast are in rehearsals, costumes have been created and technical teams are planning the show. Julian Eardley returns for his 16th pantomime at the theatre, as Dame Dolly Duster this time round, and he spoke with Winchester Radio’s Mary Blaxland, alongside Robin Bellfield who is the show’s Director and Writer…
- News-in-brief:
- Domestic abuse incidents against men in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have risen by more than 7 percent over the last year. More investment is being given by the Police and Crime Commissioner towards services which support victims of domestic abuse.
- An additional 34,000 NHS dental appointments are being made available in Hampshire. Appointments can be accessed via the NHS 111 phone service.
- Police are investigating three house burglaries on Sleepers Hill and on Hurdle Way in Compton. The incidents, which happened between 28th October and 1st November, are being linked, and officers are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.
- There have been more business closures in Winchester city centre. Outdoor clothing brand Rohan in The Square, and the bakery Wenzels are now closed.
- The City Council are consulting on plans for a new parish council for the Winchester town area. It follows the Government’s plans to create new larger unitary councils across Hampshire, in 2028.
- We’re approaching Remembrance Day. Poppies have been hung on the railings outside the Abbey Gardens and Winchester Cathedral to mark Remembrance. At the Cathedral, a service and prayers marked the opening of the 2025 Garden of Remembrance. The Mayor of Winchester will join the Royal British Legion on the steps of the Guildhall on Tuesday 11th, at 11am, to mark Armistice Day, and to observe a 2-minute silence. A remembrance service is also being held at the Cathedral this Sunday. and at churches across the city.
- Anna O’Brien was out and about for Winchester Radio, and met up with Simon West who works as a Membership Recruiter to promote the work of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. He shared with us more about his role and how people can get involved to help the Trust restore natural habitats and support its environmental work…
- Shout-outs
- To members of Winchester Walking Football, as both their A and their B teams won their respective Leagues at the Hampshire F.A. Stoneham Tournament earlier this week.
- To everyone making a splash in the inaugural ‘Aqua Bests Event’ which enabled over 30 participants with learning disabilities and their supporters to take part in a variety of water-based activities. And also to the volunteers, coaches and supporters who worked hard to make this first-ever Aqua Bests happen.
- To all the Occupational Therapists who work across our hospitals, and communities to support people function and live as independently as possible. This week is “OT Week”, a week dedicated to raising awareness of the positive life-changing effects of occupational therapy on people’s lives.
- To the Oliver’s Battery Countryside Group who celebrated their 20th anniversary last weekend by hosting an Autumn Discovery Morning to appeal to all the family. A lovely weekend of activities to celebrate the nature on our doorstep!
- To the latest group of new volunteers who have now completed their training with Winchester Bereavement Support, and are ready to help the charity as Bereavement Visitor volunteers.
- To the volunteers at Winchester Rotary who have been working alongside local schools, businesses and other supporters to help share festive cheer through their ‘Wessex Rotary Shoebox Scheme’, providing Christmas gifts to disadvantaged children in Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, and Ukraine (via Poland). This year, Winchester Rotary have sourced 719 shoeboxes of gifts!
- To the volunteers at Winchester Round Table, Winchester Ladies Circle, the 41-Club, and Tangent, who have all worked tirelessly to put on this weekend’s Winchester Bonfire and Fireworks at North Walls Recreation Ground on Saturday night.
