On Winchester Now this week:
- News-in-brief:
- Tributes have been paid to a man who was killed in a 3-car collision on the A31 at New Alresford on Saturday 27th December. Five other people were injured. Police are continuing to investigate the collision.
- A new system of “Pathfinder” courts is being introduced in Hampshire, including at Winchester, which aims to better protect children and families. They will enable adult and child victims of domestic abuse to receive access to better support and justice, and streamline court processes to increase efficiency and reduce delays.
- A new campaign ‘Stop Smoking, Feel Happier’, is launching across Hampshire, to challenge the common myth that smoking helps to relieve stress. It’s being run by the county council’s ‘quit smoking’ service.
- With the recent cold snap, a fleet of gritters has been hard at work around Hampshire. 40 vehicles have been out and about 21 times since Christmas Day – they salt the identified ‘priority one’ roads – which cover around 1,500 miles, and represent 30 percent of local roads. The council reminds residents that community salt bins can also be used to grit roads and pavements.
- Hampshire Police is looking for more Special Constables. These volunteer officers take on the same responsibilities as regular officers – while balancing their own careers and everyday lives. A special event is taking place at Tubbs Hall in Kings Worthy on Sunday 18th January, from 10am to 2pm, for anyone who would like to find out more.
- Volunteering is a fantastic way to help others, to give back to society, to utilise existing skills or develop new ones. ParkRun is a global success, only made possible every week by the dedication and commitment of grassroots volunteers who give their time early every weekend to help set up and marshal the course. Anna O’Brien spoke to Katie Warburton, one of the volunteer team at Winchester Parkrun to find out more, and what she loves about being a volunteer.
- Volunteering bulletin – amongst the local groups looking for new volunteers are:
- The Chesil Theatre: volunteers are sought across a range of roles including fundraising, front of house, on stage and behind the scenes.
- Age Concern Hampshire: volunteer opportunities include helping with activities, social interaction, and day care services at ACH’s Care & Wellbeing Centres; Social Group Volunteers – helping older people stay connected; and Form-Fillers – providing practical support to help older people complete forms, access benefits, and navigate essential services.
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance: current volunteer roles include Youth Speakers – inspiring and educating children by delivering presentations in schools and at youth organisations such as Brownies, Beavers, and Cubs; Community Events Volunteers – to attend events and provide information on the charity’s work, collect donations, and assist with setting-up and clearing-down; and “CPR: Skills for Life” volunteers, who equip the public with the confidence to perform Basic Life Support, including administering CPR and using Automated External Defibrillators.
- Shout-outs:
- To Richard Steel and Partners who have raised £2,300 and produced 230 ‘Emergency Baby Loss Packs’ and delivered them to Anthony Letchworth Ward at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital. These thoughtful packs support families at their most vulnerable moments following early loss.
- To Dawn Hibdige, who has retired from catering duties at King’s Sombourne Church of England Primary School, after over 30 years of dedicated service. The popular member of the team has been preparing, cooking and serving the pupils their lunches throughout their early education years.
- To Henry Beaufort School in Winchester. The combined efforts of pupils, parents and staff resulted in over 1700 items being collected and delivered to the Unit 12 Community Pantry in Winnall to support those in need.
- To the 99 young Junior ParkRunners who, despite the frosty weather, enthusiastically sprinted along to North Walls Recreation Ground in Winchester on Sunday morning for their first ParkRun of 2026. Congratulations too, to Chloe Warburton, one of the Junior ParkRun young helpers, who has volunteered an impressive 50 times!
- To Winchester Rotary and Winchester Rotaract members who continue to set an example on environmental project volunteering, having spent a day last month planting over 1,100 trees at Hinton Ampner.
