On this week’s Winchester Now:
- The Badger Farm Chat-Tea Café marks its 7th birthday this year, and to tie in with the 7th anniversary traditional gift of ‘Wool’, they launched their wool project – knitting or crocheting cheery squares to be stitched together to make blankets to gift to local charity Winchester Beacon, who support people experiencing homelessness. Winchester Radio was invited along on Monday this week to see the first of these beautiful blankets be presented to the charity. Anna O’Brien spoke to Lesley, one of the volunteers at the Chat Tea Café helping steer the Wool project, and also to Nancy from the Winchester Beacon about the impact these blankets would make to the people the charity helps out of homelessness.
- News-in-brief:
- The NHS in Hampshire has moved out of the critical incident declared during the recent heatwave – but it warns that health care services are still under intense pressure. Managers say that services remain busy as teams recover from the pressures, and appeal for people’s patience and understanding. With more hot weather forecast, they urge people to stay cool and hydrated, to check in on family, friends and neighbours, and to use NHS 111 for urgent health advice.
- More than 100 sheep have been stolen from a farm near Winchester. Last weekend, between 5pm on Saturday and 6am on Sunday, 135 sheep, estimated to be worth £18k, were taken from the business at Hursley. Police want to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious, or who has any information.
- Drivers coming into Winchester are being warned that the Chesil Street car park is to close for 5 days, from 13 to 17th July, for resurfacing works. The council is advising people to use the nearby Barfield or St Catherine’s Park and Ride.
- Independent Retailer Month is being celebrated through July in Winchester. Winchester BID has produced its latest ‘IndieWinch Pocket Map’ to encourage residents and visitors to support local firms. The new map is available from the Visitor Information Centre, The Arc and Winchester City Museum. It showcases more than 200 independent shops, services, restaurants and cafes across the city centre.
- Naomi and Jack’s has continued its annual tradition to give 12 red roses as peppercorn rent for the land on which it stands. The tradition dates to 1997 when Mary Cornelius-Reid permitted the construction of a children’s hospice on her land in Sutton Scotney. The flowers were given to her daughter Naomi by a family from Southampton who have been using the services of the hospice for the last 12 years.
- And, it’s been announced that the Hat Fair will return to the city on the first weekend of July next year, 2027. Play to the Crowd announced the outdoor arts festival would have a ‘planned pause’ this year, but says significant work is underway behind the scenes to ensure it will be back on 3rd/4th July next year. The charity says it’s in ongoing discussions with funders, partners and stakeholders, as it seeks to secure long-term investment. The charity is also keen to hear from residents about what makes Hat Fair so special to them. Community focus groups and surveys will be launched in the coming months to help shape the festival’s future.
- The Bank of England consultation on the animals, native to the UK, that could be used as the central image on the £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes closes at midnight tonight. Anna O’Brien fluttered out-and-about on Winchester High Street to see what locals thought about replacing people on the notes with British wildlife, and what they would like to see on the new Bank Notes.
