On Winchester Now this week:
- Hampshire Hospitals declared a critical incident this week, with beds across both Winchester and Basingstoke hospital being full. We hear how they need the public’s help.
- Christmas can be a challenging time for people who care for a loved one and a local charity is urging people to seek help if they need it. Anna talks to Kerry Hearsey from the Princess Royal Trust for Carers with advice for carers
- News-in-brief:
- People in Winchester look set to see their water bills rise dramatically over the next 5 years.
- Train passengers are being warned of major disruption over the Christmas period.
- A man has been pulled from the River Itchen in Winchester following a major rescue operation.
- Overnight closures have taken place on the Upper High Street following last week’s fire involving a road sweeper.
- A date has been set for the opening of the new St Clements Surgery.
- More events have been announced for the special Jane Austen celebrations next year.
- According to a recent survey, the average person will spend around £360 on gifts and £320 on food and drink this Christmas, but around a third of people say they are cutting back this year. We went into the city centre to hear views.
- Shout-outs:
- To the Winchester Round Table for the Santa Sleigh
- To Peter Symonds College which has been rated as outstanding by Ofsted in every area of its work.
- To Home-Start Winchester’s fundraisers and cake bakers for raising £600 with a sale at St Maurice’s Covert.
- To staff at the Newbury Building Society who have fundraised nearly £4,000 for Trinity Winchester.
- To all those working over the Christmas holidays, particularly staff in our local hospital and all the emergency services.
- Have you visited a panto this year? For many people the traditional show is very much part of Christmas. We meet Mother Goose and Fairy Virtue, stars of this year’s panto at Winchester’s Theatre Royal.
