Entertainment

THE SUNSHINE SINGERS PRESENT ARE WE NEARLY THERE YET?

Saturday, 3rd December at 5.30pm St. John's Church Come and join us for a fantastic Christmas musical about the Walker family, who take an important journey to Bethlehem.

Book your free ticket. Further details from Rosie Waring Green, t. 07891 120662 email: rosie@22rwg.co.uk

Retiring collection in aid of The Magic Lion Appeal. Helping to enhance hospital care for children and young people across Hampshire.

alresford’s past makes the perfect christmas present.

Get Christmas all wrapped up this year with ALRESFORD THROUGH TIME. This beautifully illustrated new book traces eight centuries of Alresford’s history from its creation in about 1200 to the present day. With 432 pages, this definitive history of the town makes the perfect stocking filler. Available from Oxley ’s bookshop, Long Barn, the Watercress Line gift shop and the Alresford Historical & Literary Society. For details visit alresfordhistandlit.co.uk

JESSIE KEANE CELEBRATES 15 YEARS AS A TOP 10 BESTSELLING NOVELIST!

Local author Jessie Keane, dubbed the Queen of the Underworld, is back with another thrilling tale about her favourite heroine Annie Carter. ‘The fans have been screaming for this,’ says Jessie. NEVER GO BACK is the seventh novel in the Annie Carter series, following on from Number One Heatseeker Dirty Game, then Black Widow, Scarlet Women, Playing Dead, Ruthless and Stay Dead. ‘I’ve written a number of stand-alones too, and the Ruby Darke series of 3 books,’ says Jessie, ‘I’m working on my 18th right now! But it’s the question I get asked time and again: when is Annie Carter coming back? Well – here she is!’

NEVER GO BACK hits the shelves in major retailers and bookshops on 2nd February 2023. It charts Annie’s sensational rise from East End London madam to gangster’s moll to Mafia queen to woman of substance. Jessie loved returning to her, and there may even be more Annie Carter books. ‘There’s a huge demand for more Annie,’ says Jessie. ‘I see it every day on Twitter and Facebook.’

Jessie is Romany and has – just like her heroines – known both bad times and good. ‘I’ve always written,’ she says. ‘And I was flat broke when I was inspired in 2008 to write Annie Carter in Dirty Game. I wrote it using a borrowed monitor in 3 months and within a fortnight I had a 3 book offer for a 6 figure sum from a major publisher. 15 years on, I’m still writing, still loving it.’

Pre-order your copy of NEVER GO BACK now at: https://amzn. to/3QEYiBF or on Jessie’s website www.jessie-keane.co.uk

Handel Messiah - Sat 10th Dec 2022

It’s so good to be back singing again, and this December, Southampton Philharmonic Choir return to O2 Guildhall Southampton with possibly the most famous of all choral works, Handel’s Messiah. It is a genuinely virtuoso work; requiring superb vocal technique from the chorus and soloists, a wide range of emotional expression and the ability to convey the most dramatic of narratives as well as moments of intense reflection. The fact that parts of Messiah are well known is a huge advantage to performer and listener alike - providing rallying moments of instant recognition and pure excitement. However, in such a substantial Oratorio, there are always new or less familiar moments to surprise and delight the listener.

For many, Messiah is an indispensable part of the festive season. With music of such remarkable quality, something new and fresh is almost inevitable, especially performing with the world-class Hanover Band. The use of period instruments creates just the right quality of sound whilst experienced musicians, immersed in Baroque style and techniques, will inevitably bring authenticity and authority to this popular work. Messiah was written in a mere 24 days between 22 August and 14 September 1741 with text compiled by Charles Jennens, and premiered at the New Music Hall in Fishamble Street, Dublin on 13 April 1742. The Choir, under the baton of Musical Director David Gibson is pleased to welcome soloists for this performance are soprano, Charlotte Bowden, mezzo Emma Roberts, tenor Michael Bell and bass Jamie Woollard.

Join us, tickets are on sale now from O2 Guildhall Southampton box office 023 8063 2601 or online www.O2guildhallsouthampton.co.uk.

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‘Lady Luck’ was with us again for the unveiling of the new Cogswell Memorial

On October 26th at 11.00am, we welcomed Major Dave Shealy of the USAF (Exchange Officer based at RAF Benson) and Squadron Leader Sam Bennett (RAF Odiham), together with members of the Alresford branch of the Royal Airforce Association, to join us in unveiling a new memorial to WWII American pilot, Captain Robert Cogswell. In 1943, he ordered his crew to bail out of his failing B-17F Flying Fortress and piloted it - unexploded bombs still on board - away from New Alresford town to crash land on the north-eastern side of Alresford Pond. The B-17 earned its name that day - the 'Lady Luck' - although Captain Cogswell was later Killed in Action over Korea.

The Alresford Society, Alresford Town Council and Alresford Historical & Literary Society banded together to create a new memorial following concerns raised by American visitors to the town, as well as local people, who were dismayed by the sadly decayed state of the original, wooden memorial. Erected by the self-same sponsors in 2003, it was no longer a fitting tribute to brave men and the important presence of American troops in and around the town in WWII.

The site for the new granite memorial - with the original brass plaques from 2003 attached - and the accompanying information board is behind The Soke, looking across Alresford Pond, which provided a (relatively) safe landing place. Precisely on cue, heavy rain on the morning of the 26th cleared away and so we had sunshine, medals, a Stars & Stripes, an RAFA banner and even a bugler to play the Last Post. Rather splendid.

Jan Field Chairman, The Alresford Society

Appeal for Information

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is recognised as one of the best in Europe. Taking place until the 22nd December 2022, Winchester Cathedral's Christmas Market is renowned for its bustling atmosphere, stunning location and handpicked high quality exhibitors, which attracts visitors from around the world each year who come to shop at the pretty wooden chalets, situated within the historic grounds. The wooden chalets are inspired by traditional German Christmas This is an appeal to all Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators, and to others who would like to be involved with neighbourhood watch or receive regular crime prevention bulletins issued by the Hampshire Constabulary. Over the last couple of years, we have not been able to maintain our normal lines of communication. We apologise for this, but the restrictions caused by the Covid epidemic, and other events, have led to a situation where we feel it necessary to re-establish communications at an individual level. We therefore ask all those registered coordinators who wish to continue, and have access to email, to send a quick email to the

Markets, and combined with the festive lighting, the sound of Christmas carols and the aroma of mulled wine and cinnamon drifting in the air, visitors will be transported into a festive setting to purchase their Christmas gifts and take in the atmosphere.

For those in search of an authentic Christmas experience, the Cathedral is at the heart of the City's celebration, with its many Christmas services, carol concerts, events. More information coming soon. address below indicating this fact. This will help us to avoid sending out inappropriate correspondence and ensure that we have your latest contact details. We would also ask anyone else interested in joining us, or in receiving information directly from us, to send an email to us at the address below indicating the nature of your interest. secure@ilovealresford.com

We appreciate your patience while we rebuild our communication network and hope to hear from as many of you as possible.

Alresford and District Neighbourhood Watch committee

and drink at the Christmas Market. You’ll find chalets selling festive favourites such as, mulled wine, bratwurst, mince pies and stollen. Alternatively, the Cathedral Refectory and Café Bar & Kitchen provide a warm and comfortable setting with plenty of seating and great menus.

Please visit Winchester Cathedral's website for further details regarding accessibility, facilities and group bookings.

*Sunday – Thursday 10.00am – 6.00pm Friday – Saturday 10.00am – 8.00pm