On this week’s Winchester Now:
- Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, many Ukrainians have fled the country due to the war and come to the UK. Winchester, as a City of Sanctuary, has provided a safe and welcoming space to refugees and people seeking asylum, with residents in our community responding with kindness to those who have experienced so much trauma. Julia, a Ukrainian now living in Winchester, shares some of her experience since arriving in the UK following the war.
- If you want to find out more about supporting refugees and people seeking asylum, there are many local ways you can get involved. If you missed this Refugee Week’s local children’s artwork exhibition which has been on display at The Arc, there will be another opportunity to see it when it moves to Winchester Cathedral, alongside their ‘Bags of Hope’ art installation created by children across the county. The theme of this year’s Refugee Week is: ‘Courage’ and some very moving and thoughtful artwork has been created by students.
- Another way to show your solidarity with refugees living in Winchester, is through supporting local arts events they put on for the community. The Friends of the Winchester Ukrainian Cultural Association are involved in a family-friendly Classical Summer Concert taking place on Sunday 5th July at the United Church on Jewry Street at 7pm. Classical works by Mozart, Strauss and Verdi are included, with works performed by Ukrainian artists.
- If you have a caring and compassionate nature, and time to give to support refugees and asylum-seekers, then Winchester City of Sanctuary are currently recruiting volunteers to fulfil two different roles:
- for running Welcome Walks in Winchester for people seeking sanctuary; and
- for Advice drop-in, in the city centre for people seeking sanctuary.
- Both roles require a regular commitment of approx 6-8 hours a month each. If you would be interested in any of these roles please contact Winchester City of Sanctuary via email and they will then send you the volunteer role description and a link to an application form.
- News-in-brief:
- The University of Winchester has won more than £300k of Ministry of Defence funding to help protect the country from future cyber attacks. The award, spread over five years, will help the university expand its cyber security undergraduate intake. It’s part of an £80m joint project to boost the number of computing and engineering graduates being equipped with defence-related skills.
- Police in Hampshire are warning of a rise in domestic abuse during the football World Cup. According to research, alcohol-related attacks increase by 47% after an England win. Officers are working with the charity Aurora New Dawn, and Domestic Violence Advocate Cars will be in operation throughout the World Cup – these cars are crewed by Domestic Abuse police officers, alongside a representative from the charity. Police are also urging people to report any abusive behaviour they witness or experience themselves.
- People eligible for this year’s spring COVID-19 vaccination are being reminded that there is still time to come forward for a jab. More than 173,000 people across Hampshire have already received their vaccination since the programme launched, but just under half of those eligible are yet to come forward. People aged 75 and over, care home residents, and those with a weakened immune system, are eligible for the jab. The campaign ends on June 30th.
- Dozens of people are spending Friday night outside, for the 13th annual Big Sleep Out. The event this year is taking place at Winchester Rugby Club – and it raises vital funds for Trinity Winchester, which supports those facing homelessness. The charity this year marks 40 years of helping the local community.
- And, bats in Winchester have a new home. Roosting sites have been established in the Chesil Tunnel – which runs beneath St Giles Hill. The abandoned Victorian rail tunnel provides the type of cool, dark environment bats are known to love. Following a bat survey there in February, Friends of St Giles Hill Park and Hampshire Bat Group have installed ten new roosting boxes. St Giles Hill has been identified as a bat ‘hot spot’ with seven of the 17 breeding species in the UK detected in the area.
- Local independent hospitality businesses will be showcasing their skills and products over the next fortnight for a ‘Taste of Winchester’. The event – which sees special menus, tasting events, workshops and talks – is now in its 3rd year, and aims to raise the profile of local businesses at a time when many are facing rising costs and other challenges. Sarah Strangeway, the owner of Bar Lento which opened in the city 2 years ago, spoke to Mary Blaxland.
- Shout-outs:
- To members of the charity ‘Winchester Go LD’ who take part in dedicated boxing sessions at Winchester Boxing Club. Some of the group received their Level 1 and 2 certificates recently at a special presentation. Congratulations to all those being awarded certificates in recognition for their continued efforts with the boxing, and a shoutout too, to all the volunteers and coaches who give time and encouragement to help this activity. The charity Winchester Go LD enables adults with learning disabilities to live life to the full, doing activities they enjoy and help them live independently.
- To the Winchester Goalball team, who made it to the final of the Goalball UK Regional Shield Tournament and won! The team played many very close games against lots of fierce competition, and after a hard-fought game against Bradford Giants, Winchester Goalball came away the victors! Congratulations too, to their player Edwin, who also won Player of the Tournament! Goalball is a sport for people who are blind or visually-impaired.
- To the Hampshire RFU senior men who were crowned Division 3 champions in the Bill Beaumont Rugby County Championship after a thrilling final at Twickenham against Leicestershire RFU that ended 40-26.
- To all those who took part in the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Equestrian National Championships last week! This prestigious event was hosted at Sparsholt College for the first time, and welcomed talented student riders from universities across the UK to the college’s Equine Centre, with competitors undertaking events such as dressage and showjumping on unfamiliar horses. Well done to all the riders taking part and all those involved at the college, both staff and volunteers who made it possible to hold the event there.
- To all the runners in this Sunday’s ‘Alresford 10k’ event. The annual fundraiser is organised by volunteers at Alresford Rotary Club, so a big shoutout also to all the volunteers helping marshal and make the race possible this Sunday. All monies raised from this not-for-profit community event will support local charities.
