On Winchester Now this week:
- A milestone marker has been unveiled at St Bartholomew’s Church in Winchester, marking an important point on the Camino de Santiago ancient pilgrimage route. The installation was marked by a visit from a delegation from the Galician Government and the Provincial Council of A Caruna, in North-West Spain, who gifted the marker to Winchester. Mary Blaxland talked to Rev. Karen Kousseff, from St Bartholomew’s, and the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Sudhakar Achwal, who helped with the unveiling.
- News-in-brief:
- The future of the Sir John Moore Barracks in Winchester is under the spotlight again, with plans unveiled for up to 900 homes on the site, along with community facilities and green spaces. Residents are being invited to have their say in the fourth stage of public consultation into the area at two consultation events in Littleton and Weeke.
- More than 150 people gathered at Christ Church in Winchester at the “Light Up a Life” service organised by Winchester Hospice, to remember loved ones who will not be here this Christmas.
- Drivers have faced more disruption this week after the emergency closure of Romsey Road as Southern Water carries out urgent repairs to a water leak close to the railway bridge.
- A bold new artwork, entitled “Inside Out”, has been completed on Tower Street, between the Theatre Royal and the Arc. It was designed to brighten up the building and provide a colourful welcome to audiences and visitors, and also to celebrate the creativity, imagination, colour and joy of live performances. It was funded by the City Council and private donors.
- Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market attracts visitors from across the globe, and has become a regular festive fixture in the city-centre’s Christmas traditions. Isobel Jones went along and caught up with some of the stallholders.
- Shout-outs:
- To Winchester Musicals and Opera Society, who have raised £515 for the Munch Community Cooking project, through collections at their recent production of “The Addams Family” at Theatre Royal Winchester.
- To the 276 participants who made it round the Winchester Park run course last Saturday. And a really big shout-out to all those who achieved some incredible milestones: Emma completed 250 park runs, Graeme 250 as well and young Elsie, who has now done 50 park runs with her Dad, James, who has now completed an incredible 500 park runs! And not forgetting the 37 amazing volunteers who made it all happen in the mud, wind and rain.
- To Barnaby’s, a volunteer-run café in Swanmore, which has been awarded first place in the Romsey Advertiser and Hampshire Chronicle’s “Café of the Year” award 2025, for its outstanding service, delicious offerings, and welcoming atmosphere. The café operates with a team of around 45 volunteers from the local area. All baked items are lovingly made by the volunteers or bought from Bishop’s Waltham country market, as the team strive to offer homemade and local produce at an affordable price.
- To ‘Bluebird Care Winchester, Eastleigh and Romsey’, which has been named “UK Home Care Provider of the Year” at the 2025 Leaders in Care Awards, completing a “triple crown” of major honours for the company this year. They also won the same category at the Hampshire Care Awards in October, and in May they achieved a third consecutive five-star outstanding rating from the CQC.
- To the quizzers who took part in Solent Mind’s annual fundraising quiz at The Concorde Club in Eastleigh, which raised £5000. The funds will help charity Solent Mind continue its work supporting people across Hampshire. Thanks to all those who took part and especially to those who helped organise and run the event.
