On Winchester Now this week:
- Anna O’Brien was in the Cathedral Grounds on Tuesday for the annual Rotary Pancake Race. Over 30 teams took part in the much-loved event, raising money for charity.
- News-in-brief:
- Four men have been arrested following suspected fraud at independent construction-industry exam-testing centre, JFG Constructions Solutions on Southgate Street in Winchester.
- Planned building work has started this week at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital’s Emergency Department. A&E will remain open as normal during the works, which are expected to take about 8 weeks. Access will be slightly different and visitors are advised to follow the signage and diversion routes in place.
- The Winchester Ukrainian Cultural Association will again be holding a Vigil and Prayer gathering on Tuesday 24th February at 6:30pm, in Abbey Gardens, 4 years after the invasion by Russia.
- Winchester City Council have begun installing solar panels on council-owned homes as part of a new council initiative. So far, the Council has installed 4 council-homes with solar energy and plans to have another 50 converted by the Spring.
- It has been a wet start of the year across the UK. Several flood warnings have been issued across Hampshire, and in Winchester, the City Council has installed flood barriers beside the River Itchen in Park Avenue, River Park and Water Lane.
- Last orders have been called at The Hinton Arms pub in New Cheriton, near Alresford, which closed its doors for the final time last Sunday. Landlords Fiona and Lee Mattia made an emotional tribute and thank you online to customers and staff who have supported them over many years, and said “It’s been a blast”.
- This Saturday from 11:30am to 1:30pm along the High Street in Winchester, the Hampshire Chinese Association will be holding Winchester’s first Chinese New Year celebration. It’s the year of the horse, which is said to bring energy, strength, and good fortune. The city-centre event will include cultural dances, Tai Chi and Kung Fu workshops, children’s activities, and a range of free family-friendly entertainment.
- Kieran Tibbert discovers more about lunchtime Meals-on-Wheels from Fiona Mackintosh who works for the not-for-profit charitable social enterprise – ‘Health and Independent Living Support’.
- Shout-outs:
- To Winchester Goalball, who’ve returned triumphant from the 2026 Malmö Open in Sweden with Gold medals! Winchester Goalball Club is a friendly and fun sports club for blind, partially sighted, and sighted boys, girls, men, and women. For more information or if you’re interested in joining as a player or volunteer, their website is winchestergoalball.com.
- To Luke Emess, award-winning Head Chef at The Wykeham Arms in Winchester, who has made it through to Knockout Week in the currently-airing series of “MasterChef: The Professionals”.
- To Jacqueline Johnson, a key member of the Hampshire Hospital’s Theatre Team, who has worked in the NHS for an amazing 50 years! She was presented with a WOW! Award after being nominated by appreciative colleagues for all her work as part of the Theatres team. These Awards celebrate staff who deliver exceptional care. To find out how you could nominate a member of hospital staff or a whole team of them, see the Hampshire Hospitals website.
- To Aaron Tebano, a member of the Community Learning Disability Team at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, who was named Apprentice of the Year at the University of Winchester Apprenticeship Awards! He scooped the award for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship Standard, which he began in September 2022.
