On Winchester Now this week:
- Hampshire-based charity Brendoncare has been supporting older people for over 40 years. Anna O’Brien recently spoke to Tanya Darnton about the wide range of volunteering opportunities available at the charity.
- Volunteering opportunities bulletin:
- Unit 12: Located in Winnall, Unit 12 are looking for friendly, reliable people who can spare just a couple of hours each week to support either their Community Café or Community Pantry.
- The Madding Crowd researches and performs the church and secular music of the English village bands and choirs in the period 1660 to 1861, and they have lots of fun performing across Hampshire in a variety of venues and events such as local churches, concerts and festivals. They are seeking more volunteers to join their merry band!
- Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police is inviting people from all walks of life to make a real difference by joining the Special Constabulary – a dedicated team of volunteer officers who help keep our communities safe. They’re hosting a Special Constabulary Recruitment Event from 10am to 2pm this Sunday at Tubbs Hall, the Community Centre in Kings Worthy.
- News-in-brief:
- Police are appealing for information from anyone who witnessed, or has dashcam or CCTV footage of, a fatal traffic accident in Winchester this week. The incident, on Tuesday evening, occurred on Stockbridge Road, between the junctions of Stoney Lane and Butts Close – a silver Mercedes collided with a female pedestrian, who sadly died at the scene.
- More than 300 arrests were made as part of Hampshire Police’s annual Christmas-time Drink and Drug driving campaign. 145 people were detained on suspicion of drink-driving, and 185 people on suspicion of drug-driving.
- Residents will be able to find out more, and express their opinions, about the future of the derelict River Park Leisure Centre at an event on Tuesday 27th January, from 3 to 7pm at the Guildhall. The City Council has received 12 expressions of interest in the site, which has been empty for nearly 5 years.
- Approval has been given for major renovations to the historic Wolvesey Palace in Winchester. The Church Commissioners have confirmed that refurbishments will take place to address problems including leaky guttering, dampness and water ingress. The Grade 1 listed building has been home to the Bishop of Winchester since the 17th century, although the current Bishop is living elsewhere because of the poor state of the property.
- Pancake flipping and fancy dress will return to Winchester Cathedral’s Outer Close on Shrove Tuesday, 17th February, for the annual Winchester Rotary charity Pancake Races. Teams are invited to register on the Winchester Rotary website, with trophies to be awarded for the fastest team, the best fancy dress, and the best team name.
- Nominations have opened for this year’s Mayor of Winchester’s Community Awards. The search is on for individuals and organisations who’ve made a difference in the Winchester District. The closing date for nominations is 15th February, with the Awards Ceremony taking place in Winchester Guildhall on 12th March. Nomination Forms can be found on the City Council’s website.
- Shout-outs
- To Play to the Crowd, whose latest traditional family pantomime, ‘Puss in Boots’ at the Theatre Royal, has been nominated in five categories in the Fringe Theatre Awards: with actors Bekah Selina, who played Puss, and Julian Eardley, who played Dame Dolly Duster, each nominated for the Performance award. Writer and director, Robin Belfield, is nominated in the Writing / Devising category; composer, Simon Slater, and musical director, Will Pickering, for Music; and the Theatre Royal Winchester nominated for Production. The award finalists will be announced in April, with the Fringe Theatre Awards ceremony taking place in May.
- To young brothers William and Josh, who ran a stall at their local Maker’s Market in Droxford, as well as selling cakes at William’s school to raise funds for charity. Together they raised an amazing £524 for the Winchester Beacon.
- To the team at St. Clement’s Surgery in Winchester, who are marking their first birthday in their new building this week. The surgery team has thanked people on their social media, sharing how over the last year they have loved welcoming patients into their modern, comfortable, and accessible new space.
- To Mary James, clinical nurse specialist in bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, who has been named Haemato‑Oncology Nurse of the Year by the UK Oncology Nursing Society, having been recognised for her outstanding leadership, education and patient‑centred care.
- To the Grants team at Winchester City Council who, in 2024–2025, awarded 75 community grants and invested £591,780 to support local projects and initiatives across the Winchester District. These grants make a real difference to our community by addressing issues such as physical inactivity, poor mental health, and digital exclusion.
- To Winchester Rugby, who had an impressive start to 2026, with a 12-97 final score-line against ‘Ellington & Ringwood’ last weekend.
- To Winchester City F.C. who celebrated a midweek muddy 2-1 away win over ‘Tavistock A.F.C’. to take a valuable 3 points.
- To Winchester City Flyer’s First team whose first match of the year, last weekend, resulted in a 3-2 win against Reading, with a goal from the Winchester skipper, Emma Whitlock; and 2 from Chelsie Hay, who was voted Player of the Match by her teammates.
