On Winchester Now this week:
- Hundreds of people gathered outside Winchester Cathedral on Sunday to pause and remember the service and sacrifice of millions in war and those still caught up in conflicts around the world. On Armistice Day on Tuesday, the Mayor led a time of silence from the steps of the Guildhall. And around the railings of Abbey House and on the Cathedral, there are hundreds of handmade poppies. The project has been co-ordinated by Sue Butcher, the Chair of the Winchester women’s branch of the Royal British Legion as an act of love and remembrance. She told Mary Blaxland about her personal reasons for the tribute.
- News-in-brief:
- Health bosses in Hampshire say they are doing all they can to minimise disruption as the latest strike by resident doctors begins. The industrial action is part of a long running national dispute, and will continue from this Friday until Wednesday next week. People locally are being urged to use pharmacies, and NHS 111 where possible, but not to delay seeking care during this time – and anyone with an appointment should attend unless contacted to reschedule.
- There’s a warning to motorists of possible traffic problems in the north of Winchester this weekend. The A34 and A33 are closed Southbound from 9pm on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday. The closure will affect the A34 from Three Maids Hill, and the A33 from the Cart and Horses junction at Kings Worthy to the Winnall roundabout.
- Hampshire Hospitals has appointed a new specialist to help improve the care of patients with autism. Helen Toomer Jones is an All Age Autism Special Lead, and the post has been made possible by donations to the Hampshire Hospitals charity.
- A tree, grown at the University of Winchester from seeds that survived the nuclear attacks on Japan at the end of the Second World War, has been planted in the courtyard at Barton Farm Primary Academy, on Armistice Day, by the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Sudhakar Achwal, accompanied by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sarah Greer.
- Final touches are being made to the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, which opens next Friday.
- Actor Hugh Bonneville has re-opened the library at Harestock Primary School following the facility’s £10k refurbishment.
- Christmas-time is the season of Goodwill, and a project is underway to ensure that vulnerable children across Hampshire will get a present this Christmas. Project Secret Santa started last year and is the idea of a Winchester Mum. Gifts are being collected at various places in and around Winchester. They will be wrapped and packed in stockings and distributed by Hampshire children’s services to children who might otherwise go without this year. Mary Blaxland spoke to founder Georgina Abbott.
- Shout-outs:
- To Brendoncare’s ‘Weeke Friendship Group’, which marked its 20th anniversary this week. Members celebrated with a party where original member Hazel Little cut the cake.
- And to Brendoncare’s St Giles View, which celebrated its 2nd anniversary today. The Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Winchester – Cllr Jamie Scott and Mrs Wendy Scott, attended celebrations with residents and staff.
- To the team at St John’s Winchester, which launched its dementia support service 3 years ago this autumn. The service has supported over 100 people so far.
- To the parents and local volunteers behind the Oliver’s Battery & Badger Farm Cycle Bus, which is a year old and still growing. Over 30 children have been cycling to school on two routes from Badger Farm and Oliver’s Battery.
- To General Manager Nigel Aston and the team at the Winchester Sport and Leisure Park who were among the winners at the recent national UKActive Awards. The local centre, run by Everyone Active in partnership with Winchester City Council triumphed in the ‘Regional Public Club/Centre of the Year – South’ category.
- To Hampshire Hospitals’ “Fundamentals of Care” team who won the “Continence care and promotion” category at the prestigious annual “Nursing Times” Awards, recognising the positive impact of their improvements to patient safety, particularly within continence management.
- Hundreds of people packed the Broadway for entertainment ahead of the Winchester city-centre Christmas lights switch-on by two charity-minded local heroes, on Thursday night this week. Winchester Hospice fundraiser Pat Bloor and High St. poppy seller Terry Young were picked by a public vote. Mary Blaxland was in the city for the countdown to the switch on.
