On this week’s Winchester Now:
- News-in-brief:
- Winchester City Council is set to move forward with proposals for two new parish councils, for Kings Barton and the Winchester town area, from April 2027. The city council will begin a six-week consultation in mid-May, where residents will be able to have their say on how any new council will be shaped, with a final decision expected to be made by Full Council later this year.
- Winchester MP Danny Chambers, presented a petition to Parliament on Wednesday this week, to call on the government to urgently review the removal of school transport for children attending Henry Beaufort school in Winchester. The school bus from Kings Worthy to Henry Beaufort School is due to be withdrawn next month, by Hampshire County Council. The petition has been signed by over 500 constituents. The government should respond within 2 months.
- There’s just over a month left to nominate a favourite business or charity in the 2026 ‘Winchester Business Excellence Awards’. Nominations close on 23rd April, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in June.
- The Hampshire Holidays and Food Programme, is again providing fully-funded fun and educational activity sessions, to support low-income families, over the Easter holiday period. Children eligible for benefit-related free school meals can register, book and attend sessions for free.There’s a variety of sport, arts and crafts available in the Winchester area. Families can book places for children, and find further details, on Hampshire County Council’s ‘Connect to Support’ online portal.
- 7th April is ‘World Health Day’ and Everyone Active, who run the Winchester Sport and Leisure Park, are holding a Health and Wellbeing event, between 2pm and 7pm, offering the public free taster sessions of sporting activities, such as Aqua-fit, Circuits and Pilates, and there’ll be a range of stalls by local charities and support organisations, in attendance too.
- Local dance-based charity Move Momentum will be bringing Accessible Dance to the High Street this Saturday from 9:30am to 4pm, with their annual Danceathon. The event invites people of all ages and abilities to join in a day of music, movement and community celebration. Participation is free, donations to support the charity’s work are always welcome.
- Next Thursday, the 26th of March is ‘Social Prescriber’s Day. The day is an annual celebration of the people, organisations and communities who make social prescribing happen. Since 2019, thousands of organisations, link workers, medical professionals, academics and students have taken part in events across the globe to mark the day. Winchester Radio is a member organisation of the ‘Hampshire and Isle of Wight Social Prescribing Network’ and we recently attended a gathering organised by Community First at the Winchester Vineyard Church. Winchester Radio’s Anna O’Brien spoke to a number of the Social Prescribers there to hear more about their role, and how their work helps positively impact others…
- The General Assembly of the United Nations, passed a resolution in 2012, declaring 20th March each year to be: International Day of Happiness! What and who makes you happy? Winchester Radio’s Phoebe Costello asked locals in Winchester…
- Community shout-outs:
- As it’s Village Halls Week, to everyone who volunteers and supports their village halls and community centres or hubs – making use of them, fundraising to support them, and giving time as trustees for the charities who often manage these venues in our communities – a role where more people are often needed – to keep village halls and community centres sustainable for future generations to use.
- To everyone who supported this year’s ‘Winchester Go LD’ Quiz Night, which raised an outstanding £3,000 for this charity which supports adults living with learning disabilities. A special shoutout of thanks goes to Jamie Guerrier and his son Joseph for hosting the quiz for the charity.
- To Abbotts Barton care home in Winchester, which celebrated its 25th anniversary with residents, staff, families, and community guests. The event included music, refreshments, and reflections from long-serving team members, including two original staff from 2001 (Mandy Merritt and Mark Hinton). The Mayor of Winchester attended to acknowledge the home’s community contribution, and the celebration also supported fundraising for Winchester Hospice.
- To the Watercress Line heritage railway, whose ‘Canadian Pacific’ steam locomotive has scooped a national Heritage Railway Association Award after a 13-year restoration project that brought this 1941 express engine back to life in 2025. And a special shout-out to staff member Daniel Ball, who was recognised for his fantastic work boosting education and community engagement on the local heritage railway line too.
- To the volunteer team here at Winchester Radio, as we’re finalists in three audio categories at the annual National Hospital Radio, Health and Wellbeing Awards, which are being held on Saturday evening in Bolton.
