Southsea Lifestyle Feb 2017

February 2017

Southsea Lifestyle

WE HAVE TENANTS AND BUYERS WAITING LETTINGS

S A L E S B L O C K MANAGEMENT

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CONTRIBUTORS

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CONTENTS 6 EAT FOOD, NOT TOO MUCH,

Tara Knight - mum, wife, co-owner of Southsea Coffee Co., naturopathic nutritional adviser and creator of nourishing food at ginger + peach

MOSTLY PLANTS

12 FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS 16 WHAT’S THE FUTURE OF HOUSING ON OUR ISLAND CITY?

22 24 28 38 40 42 44

Neil Maxwell is director of Fry & Kent Estate Agents and volunteer crew member of the RNLI

Emma Beatty teaches journalism at the University of Portsmouth. She has lived in Southsea for ten years, and has two children

Luke Newton is a Personal Trainer and founder of SWEAT Southsea and the Fitness Festival

Romany Mathews studies English at the University of Southampton. She lives in Southsea Southsea Lifestyle Produced by Salad Publishing Ltd Editor: Kevin John Dean Creative Director: Zirrinia Austin Dean Web design & social media: Daniel Sweeney Media partners: Strong Island Co What’s on listings: Sophie McCue Design assistant: Abi Bryant Editorial assistant: Kai Austin Dean

VOLUNTEERING ABROAD VALENTINE’S SHOPPING CULTURE VULTURE THE MARKET PLACE FILM REDISCOVERING THE ‘POMPEY MESSIAH’

53 PORTSMOUTH BOOKFEST 2017 54 FIT FOR 2017 56 A NEW STAGE AT THE

John Worsey is a freelance writer, based in Southsea. He works in advertising, communications, media and branding Russell Baldwin has an MA in Film Studies, is a qualified teacher, lives in Southsea and is an experienced carpenter and decorator

CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY?

NEW THEATRE ROYAL

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24 A NOTE TO ALL BUSINESS OWNERS

We provide a bespoke advertising solution to meet a broad range of budgets, to suit small, medium and large businesses.

No heavy sales, no invasive phone calls, just request our media pack.

Call: 023 9281 2045 e:info@southsealifestyle.com www.southsealifestyle.com The next edition’s deadline is 16 th February and is published on 4th March.

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W

elcome to our first magazine of 2017.

I hope it’s not too late to wish you a Happy New Year.

This month, rather like a passionate love affair, we have gone a little crazy, and published 6 pages of Valentine’s gifts. You will also see some of our advertisers have got into the mood with their own Valentine's offers. Apologies if Valentine’s day is not for you, but at least we can be reminded of all our wonderful local retailers, and the range of products they sell throughout the year.

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Who knows what 2017 will bring at home or abroad, but whatever happens, please continue to think local before you buy any goods or services.

One subject that causes constant discussion, even controversy, is the country’s housing stock and on p.16, John Worsey talks about the future of the rental sector in Portsmouth, while Neil Maxwell keeps us updated on property sales, p.12.

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Meanwhile, February may be the shortest and one of the coldest month’s of the year but we have found more events than ever to tempt you outside - see our What’s On listings from p.42 to p52.

Kevin John Dean

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“EAT FOOD, NOT TOO MUCH, MOSTLY PLANTS”* Tara Knight

S

ensible advice (above), for our health and our planet and in the last few years more people have increased their intake of plant based food helped by initiatives such as “Meat-free Monday” and “Veganuary”.

The latter is a charity set up in the UK in 2014 which encourages people to eat vegan food for the month of January; and each year since has seen record n u m b e r s signing up.

Although some vegan food can be just as unhealthy as some of its non-vegan alternatives, it is often closely linked to healthier diets. I think this is partly due to the hidden dairy and animal derived products in mass produced foods, which leads many vegetarians and vegans to cook from scratch so they know what is in the food they are eating (as always I am an advocate of home cooked food or “real food” being the healthiest diet you can have).

Defined by The Vegan Society, veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or other purpose. To follow a true vegan lifestyle therefore involves more than just not eating animal products; however there are more and more people who are vegan curious, or “part time” vegans; and this can be a productive way of considering what you are putting into your body once you begin to look closer at food labels.

Whether you attempt to be vegan for one day of the week, one week of the month or one month of t h e y e a r, I d o encourage you to eat more plants. It’s good for your purse, your health and the planet.

Want to find out more? Portsmouth is hosting its own vegan festival on Saturday 25 th February from 11am-5pm at the Guildhall.

There will be over 100 stalls, cooking demonstrations (I may even be there!) and talks. Tickets are £3 on the door. * Quote by author Michael Pollen

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FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS Neil Maxwell

T

he year has got off to a flying start with plenty of enquiries and more properties coming to the market and the level of sales remains strong. The new properties coming to the market form a broad cross section of the city’s housing stock, from starter homes to luxury apartments. One notable recent sale sold for in excess of a million pounds. It had languished on the market for many months but, I should add, with another agent.

We were surprised at two recent examples of serious undervaluing by other agents, with one home valued at £310,000 (by two agents) which achieved £345,000 and another valued at £370,000 which sold for more than £400,000. In both examples our knowledge and marketing prevented the owners from sustaining a substantial loss.

The reality is that valuing homes in our area is not easy using the pound per square foot method of calculation which may work in some new developments. Equating that to a Georgian/Victorian home that may have flying freeholds, share of the garden, or all manner of additional factors to be considered, just doesn’t work.

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This is why the online valuation tools need to be treated with caution as it is simply not possible for the algorithms used by the computer programmes to take these variable factors into account. Whilst two houses look the same next door to each they can be very different. One recent example was a Victorian semi-detached house which had its rear addition blown off during the war. Whilst the property next door had rebuilt the extension, the one we were selling hadn’t, so consequently it was half the size of the neighbouring property.

Agents that have longevity in the area generally have a stake in the local community by virtue of reputation and integrity, so should be able to provide a comprehensive valuation backed up by local knowledge and a successful track record.

With some of the uncertainty of recent months now disappearing and interest rates still at an historic low, we expect this year’s early momentum to continue - it’s a great time to benefit from the fast paced market if you’re thinking of selling.

NELSON ROAD, SOUTHSEA £875,000 Stunning Victorian detached villa located in a peaceful residential setting within the Owen's Southsea Conservation Area (No.2), only a short walk from the shopping precinct and seafront. The very elegant appearance of this former doctors’ surgery conceals a substantial layout spanning over 3,500 sq ft providing a nice balance between the four generous reception rooms and five bedroomed accommodation which also includes a beautifully fitted kitchen, utility room, cloakroom, dressing room/6th bedroom and two impressive bathrooms. The interior has been tastefully decorated to a contemporary style, yet retains many of its original features which must be seen to be appreciated. Externally, the gated entrance leads onto a south-westerly facing front garden with patio, pergola and driveway parking, plus a side access to a walled courtyard garden with ample room for dining Alfresco during summer evenings. This is a rare opportunity not to be missed and therefore we recommend your earliest inspection.

SUSSEX ROAD, SOUTHSEA £679,995 Impressive, Grade II Listed, Thomas Ellis Owen terraced townhouse located on Sussex Road, situated in the very heart of central Southsea and within the Owen's Southsea Conservation Area, just a short walk to the shops and the seafront. There is a shingled driveway with mature shrubs and trees to the front of the property, providing ample off-road parking, a patio area and steps leading to the front door. In addition, there is an enclosed rear courtyard garden with pedestrian access. Internally, the ground floor accommodation comprises an entrance hall, two reception rooms with feature sash windows, contemporary open plan kitchen/dining room and utility room. On the lower ground floor there is a third reception room or bedroom and cloakroom, and on the first and second floor there are four double bedrooms, a luxury bathroom with four-piece suite and a separate shower room can be found. This townhouse must be viewed to appreciate its size and location.

Sales & Lettings office: Stanley Street, Southsea www.fryandkent.com SALES: T: 023 9281 5221 E: sales@fryandkent.com LETTINGS: T: 023 9282 2400 E: lettings@fryandkent.com 13

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WHAT’S THE FUTURE OF HOUSING ON OUR ISLAND CITY?

P

John Worsey

ortsmouth is the UK’s most densely populated region. What amazes me is that it doesn’t feel like that. I bought my first home here in 2010: a typical Edwardian mid-terrace. Within hours of moving in, I’d met my neighbours on both sides, which never happened during seven househopping years in London. I think people’s friendliness here goes a long way towards creating a feeling of space, even when our gardens are back to back, and our bedrooms are stacked side by side.

But there’s no denying that closely constructed housing on our island city poses real challenges. Like the rest of the UK, Portsmouth suffers from a shortage of genuinely affordable property. Even if the will to build was there, where would new houses go?

Recently, I had a fascinating conversation with. Mazin Al-Baggou , a Partner at Tully & Co, an estate and letting agent on Albert Road. He has witnessed the evolution of Pompey housing since the 1980s.

Sales Manager Paul Chapman has a decade of local experience, and joined Tully in 2015.

Paul notes, “There’s a huge amount of investment here. People view Southsea as a real up-and-coming place. We used to see parents buying properties for their son or daughter to live in while at university, which they’d then rent out. Now, we’ve got a professional buy-to-let market, which is massive.

High calibre investors see Southsea’s potential.”

Mazin agrees: “Portsmouth is one of a handful of cities in England that is a hotspot.”

Interestingly, he sees the centralisation of

Photo: Paul Gonella

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University accommodation leading to a gradual transformation. “As students move out of areas, we see families move back in. It changes how an area feels.”

suggests. “The current shift is pushing out the old guard landlords who don’t want to spend money to upgrade, and attracting people who want to provide better homes. That’s the market pressure.”

The biggest change the two colleagues predict is a shift towards a housing culture in which rental is the norm, as it was before the 1950s. This is likely to be a trend across the UK, unless more housing is built or incomes significantly rise.

Paul concurs. “We see landlords now that acquire, renovate and build new properties.

Some of them really push the envelope in terms of quality and price.”

Paul observes, “We’ve only got a certain amount of real estate. But it started with Right to Buy. Like many councils, the city sold off swathes of social housing without replacing it.”

Having grown up in a time when aspiration to home ownership was the norm, Mazin concedes that the income/house-price gap “makes me angry on my kids’ behalf.” But both he and Paul can see a silver lining.

“The standard of rentals will go up,” Mazin

As lucky as I feel to have secured a mortgage, I can’t deny that sometimes such as the boiler leak that sprang on Christmas Eve - I miss the ease of calling a landlord for a quick, painless fix. If affordable rents and security of tenure come along with an increase in quality, perhaps our aspirations as a society will shift away from home ownership, to other priorities. It would be ironic if that triggered a fall in house values that might make possible a reversal of this trend.

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OUTDOOR LEARNING BENEFITS EARLY EDUCATION

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Paul Marshallsay, Headmaster, Portsmouth High Junior School

utdoor learning has been an area of much discussion but little real research in the education sector over recent years. In a study entitled The Existing Evidence-Base about the Effectiveness of Outdoor Learning the Giving Evidence group found that ‘almost all outdoor learning interventions have a positive effect’.

More importantly the study cites the ‘evidence for the value of longer interventions’. Under this rationale programmes that run as an integral part of the curriculum are perhaps more effective than occasional visits to outdoor centres. Forest School is one of the areas that has grown exponentially and something that has become part of the weekly cycle of activities for junior children. Although this is an excellent start schools should be asking what more can be done to make the outdoor curriculum part of everyday life during the academic week.

There are some examples that I can use that have been developed over time here at Portsmouth High Junior School. We begin each and every day with a ‘daily mile’; an initiative started in Scotland which endeavours to promote exercise in the morning with focussed energy. During the day teachers will often hide clues and set trails around the outside space, resulting in independent learning of fractions, shape, spelling, phonics or any number of other areas which build on the children’s enthusiasm for movement. Science experiments 20

are frequently conducted outside with my personal favourite being the launch of pupil-made rockets on the playground.

It can never be too early to begin and pre-schools should ensure that there is always alfresco learning taking place. One example I have seen is a teddy bear that had been frozen overnight by the teacher. The children ‘discovered’ him in the morning and it stimulated discussion that was based around the concept of changing states.

Personal development can also be enhanced through use of outdoor spaces. It is amazing how a conversation during PSHE or thinking skills lessons may be more open when outside sitting in a circle. Promoting this through awards can be a powerful motivator. The Venture Award is one such course which includes a supervised expedition to challenge the pupils to enjoy the open air.

Being outside enhances children’s health, wellbeing and curiosity. As such it should be a part of any school curriculum.

CURIOSITY AND CREATIVITY FOR ENQUIRING YOUNG MINDS‌

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re you are looking for a place for your daughter at a leading independent school for girls?

Join us at Portsmouth High School for our Nursery and Reception Forest School Open Morning on Saturday 18 March and experience the benefits of outdoor education in our spacious grounds.

Come on a bear hunt and enjoy Forest School activities outdoors.

Visit our Nursery School and Reception classrooms where there will be an opportunity to join in scientific experiments and nature activities. Meet our early years’ teachers and staff who will be able to answer all your questions and help you find out more about how we foster strength, independence and resilience both inside the classroom and out.

Booking desirable but not essential via the Open Days page at www.portsmouthhigh.co.uk 21

CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY? 5 TIPS TO HELP YOU PICK THE PERFECT PLACE

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Romany Matthews

ebruary may mean many things to many people – pancake day springs to my mind. But for the university applicants, it means an important decision is just around the corner. Deciding which university to attend is a big deal, but it needn’t be scary or stressful. Here are some top tips to help get those minds made up.

1. Do your research. This may seem an obvious place to start. But the more research you carry out into the degrees on offer at different universities, the easier your decision will be. The structure of the same degree changes a surprising amount depending on the university. Consider things such as the methods of assessment, the range of modules on offer, and the freedom to tailor your degree to your tastes. All this information is available on the institutions’ websites – be sure to take a look.

2. Listen to what other students are saying.

Funnily enough, the best placed people to tell you about a certain university or degree are the students themselves. So ask around! The National Student Survey also provides a wealth of information on student satisfaction, quality of teaching etc., that is helpful for making an informed decision. League tables can also be a help, but remember that just because a university ranks highly doesn’t necessarily make it the right one for you.

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3. Remember university isn’t just about the degree. The place you choose will become your home away from home; get a feel for the atmosphere around campus and look at the facilities on offer. Also, try and have a good look around the local area as well as the university itself. Are the shops, cafes and cultural offerings up to scratch? Or is your happiness dependent on stellar spots for a great night out?

4. Talk to people about i t . S o m e t i m e s i t ’s possible to get bogged down in the decisionmaking process.

Unsolicited advice can be a tad wearing, but there are times when it is wise to seek outside help. Asking family members, friends, teachers – anybody who knows you well – for their opinions can be just what is needed to put things into perspective. Parents and peers often notice details that you might have overlooked, and that could make or break a prospective university.

5. Be fussy. You will be investing a lot of time, money and personal sanity in your chosen university, so be as picky as you like to ensure you make the correct decision. I dragged my mother to Exeter and back twice before deciding I didn’t want to go there after all; amongst other reasons it was far too hilly. This may sound like nonsense but you’ll never appreciate how flat Portsmouth is (or how much that might mean to you) until you go elsewhere…

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VOLUNTEERING ABROAD

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fter a career in the music industry working with artists such a s N e n e h C h e r r y, Massive Attack and Alicia Keys, Ellie Ellie Milner, Global Director, Milner co-founded the Arms Around The Child international charity, Arms Around The Child. Speaking from her home in Southsea, Ellie talks about the charity and how you might become a volunteer in Africa or India.

How did you become involved with charity work? While working in the Music Industry, many people were affected by HIV/AIDS and the opportunity arose to work with Red Hot and

Children in South Africa experiencing the benefits of play with a Psychology student volunteer

Blue, a fund raising album by top artists, which included Neneh Cherry, who I was working with at the time. I continued working with the Red Hot Organisation and saw the effects of the AIDS pandemic in Africa and other continents.

How did the Arms Around The Child charity begin? I started working with the charity Keep a Child Alive, who cared for families and their children who were HIV+. Once the costs of the life-saving drugs dropped to 30 cents per day, governments were able to provide. In its wake the HIV/AIDS pandemic left countless orphaned children, often HIV+, and kids living in child headed households - Arms Around The Child was born out of the need to support children living in extreme adversity.

Had you ever imagined you would be the founder of an international charity? No: when I was at school I wanted to be a roadie and went on to work in the music industry - mainly in Artist and Event Management . However, much of our funding now comes from musical events such as the World Music Village at Victorious 2016, fund raising campaigns, or gala dinners with performances from Mark Ronson, Florence and The Machine, among many others.

How is the organisation funded? We are funded on three levels, through corporate support, the public and grants from foundations. 100% of public money goes directly to the work we are supporting in South Africa, Ghana and India.

Ghana and Arsenal’s footballer Christian Atsu, Ambassador for Arms Around The Child, on a visit to the children in Senya-Beraku, Ghana

Are you looking for people with particular skills for the volunteer programme? We have a key focus for each project, the Ghana programme is the most broad. South Africa is geared towards those with experience in Child Development, Social Work/Psychology. India is for those with a creative spark or with an interest in sport.

Can anyone apply for the programme? YES, we encourage anyone to apply from Gap year students to retirees. Our friendly team create tailor-made volunteer programmes.

Happy, secure and thriving, these girls in India are supported by committed care-givers and volunteers

Some people would say charity begins at home, what are your thoughts? That’s true, but as a nation we have really benefited from Africa and India’s natural resources, their cultures and people.

I don’t think it’s too much to try and help orphaned children living in extreme poverty, usually without medical help, clean water to drink and a limited education - all freely available in the UK. How can people in Portsmouth & Southsea get involved? We operate a volunteer abroad programme for all. Also we work with Portsmouth University, offering work experience and information about creating social impact and career advancement. With projects in Ghana, India and South Africa we have a lot to offer volunteers.

Do people make a contribution to the volunteer experience? YES. This is fundamentally a fundraising initiative to support the projects and the incredible work they do.

Volunteers pay a registration fee and then pledge to raise to funds. Each programme has a different target but we are flexible and the amounts are quite affordable.

Best contact details for potential volunteers volunteer@armsaroundthechild www.volunteerinvest.org @volunteerinvest

VolunteerInvest

Volunteer_Invest For fund raising support elliea@armsaroundthechild.org www.armsaroundthechild.org AroundTheChild 25

E

WIRED FOR SOUND

veryone is wired to respond and relate to music. It is often credited with ‘getting people through’ difficult situations and its power to move us is something every person can testify to. Music exists in everyone.

The question is, do you believe that we all have the capacity to create music? The answer is: yes, and you are probably more connected with music than you realise: singing or tapping along with a song, means experiencing it at a deeper level, and the more you sing, tap and play, the more music enriches your life. The good news is that, regardless of age or ability, everyone is capable of creating music and benefitting from it.

At the far end of the age spectrum, learning new skills, such as a musical instrument, has been proven to slow the onset of dementia and has even been used by professionals to promote memory and ‘sense of self’ in the treatment of those already suffering.

Portsmouth Music Academy is a friendly and supportive environment in which to learn an instrument. We provide one-to-one and group lessons as well as opportunities to join in with so much more, including jam nights, student concerts, summer fun days and live playing workshops. Based in Cosham and now also in Southsea.

We believe music is for everyone. Join us.

More than just the immediate enjoyment of learning to sing or play an instrument, studies conclusively show that for children, learning from a young age can equip them with foundational abilities essential to their achievement in core academic subjects. Studying music enables them to develop skills and knowledge essential for lifelong success including concentration, focus, co-ordination and memory.

For adults, learning an instrument is linked to a number of physical and mental health benefits.

Research shows that making music can lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, reduce stress, and lessen anxiety and depression.

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Visit www.portsmouthmusicacademy.co.uk or phone 02392 985385 for more information.

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Chandelier Blue shoes - ÂŁ295.00 Freya Rose international Award winning shoe designer has opened her new head office and showroom in Southsea, where Freya provides a personal consultation and service. Freya Rose, 12 Grove Road, Southsea PO5 3QT 08453714466 www.freyarose.com

VALENTINE’S SHOPPING Sapphire marine life ring price dependant upon the quality/size of the stone Barbara Tipple Jewellers 15 Marmion Road, Southsea Valentine chocolates £25 - £35 Confiserie Verdonk Marmion Road, Southsea

Fair Trade mugs - £5.99 White Dog Gallery,11 Stanley Street, Southsea

Seville tote bag - £30 Contact local twin sisters Jani & Jo, the founders of Beach Bunnies via their website:beach-bunnies.co.uk

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A box of 6 bath bombs - £12.99 Amelia Rose, 62 Castle Road, Southsea

Double bubble heart pendant - £145 Charlotte Cornelius 66 Castle Road, Southsea

Frame - £19.99, Jewellery - £7.99 - £16.50, Design House Southsea,55-57 Marmion Road 31

Valentine cards - £2.50 - £7 Southsea Rock, 66 Castle Road, Southsea Spring scarf - £9 Preview, 53 Marmion Road, Southsea

Red roses- £15 - £50 Jo McNamara Florist, 119 Winter Road, Southsea Ram’s head, handmade by Josh Simms - £50 Pegasus, 87a Marmion Road, Southsea 32

Floral Mini Spa gift set - £19.50 Available from Southsea Bathing Hut, Save 10% at www.southseabathinghut.co.uk with code LIFESTYLE until 15 February 2017

Treat yourself or a loved one to a

FREE TREATMENT*

15 clarendon road • southsea • po5 2ed tel: 023 9282 6119 www.shapehairdressing.co.uk *Complimentary with any service

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Rock & Roll prints £14.99 or £29.99 framed Southsea Gallery 51 Albert Road, Southsea

NO6 CINEMA’S VALENTINE’S EVENT: THE FOOD OF LOVE

To celebrate Valentine’s this year No.6 are screening DIRTY DANCING, the event promises to better than ever as the cinema is collaborating with Pie And Vinyl to bring you food and the food of love - music.

Combination tickets and pie choices are available via the website www.no6cinema.co.uk

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ALL ABOARD THIS VALENTINE’S DAY FOR A TRULY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE

HMS Warrior will be hosting it’s first ever Valentine's event on board, complete with live entertainment, 3 course dinner and half a bottle of wine per person. For more information, please email specialevents@hmswarrior.org or telephone 02392 778 610

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CULTURE VULTURE

A

Emma Beatty

h, February! The shortest month of the year but it seems like the longest—full of frost, storm and cloudiness. Time for settling down with a good book…

If you can’t decide what to read, PORTSMOUTH BOOKFEST runs Mon 13 Feb to Sun 5 Mar. There are all sorts of events lined up by Portsmouth City Library and The Hayling Island Bookshop: readings in by famous authors, a Valentine’s Day meet in a Southsea pub, an electro-acoustic celebration of Dennis Potter in the Square Tower - and - The Gruffalo himself will be in Southsea Library.

Whether you’re thinking of writing a book yourself, love poetry, or want to meet a favourite author, take a look online: portsmouthbookfest.co.uk.

At ASPEX GALLERY, in Gunwharf, there’s more bookishiness. ‘The Ministry of Books’ (until 2 Apr) is a two-part exhibition with all sorts of strange and wonderful reading matter from a collection on loan from the University of Portsmouth’s Illustration Department. Handmade books, booklets and pamphlets produced by illustrators, typographers, writers, poets, book binders and printmakers – all wonderful, quirky art objects in their own rights.

JACK HOUSE GALLERY on Portsmouth High Street also has a charming group show of Small Works, (3 Feb-4 March). These micro-pictures (mostly a few inches wide) are mainly by artists who’ve ‘Private View’ 15x20cm oil shown at Jack House over the on board by Michael Bartlett last year or two: Lyndon Hayes, Rachel Levitas, Catherine Barron and Stephan Geisler. You might recognize their styles – albeit on a micro scale. There are also works by new faces, such as Arts Space Portsmouth artists Michael Bartlett and Julie Graves. Cathy Lomax is a 38

new artist that Rebecca Crow, the gallery owner, has followed for some time and her intriguing ‘Film Diaries’ are included here.

Rudyard Kipling himself spent time in Southsea, on Campbell Road – not very happily it turned out. Maybe it inspired his famous The Jungle Book. The Oddsocks theatre troupe are bringing their version of this classic to the New Theatre Royal (9 Feb-10 Feb). Enjoy Mowgli’s adventures with Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther and Kaa the python brought to life with “music, muppetry and laughter.”

Another local luminary – Sandi Toksvig (currently Chancellor of Portsmouth University) brings her new play to the New Theatre Royal. Silver Lining (1418 February). The action is set in a retirement home “one dark and stormy night as floods threaten” - a sort of “Great Escape senior-citizen style”. Toksvig is the queen of comic timing and deadpan humour, so this is one to see. She’s thoughtful too—tackling the loneliness and isolation of old age.

And finally, if February is getting too much; shake your tail feathers to welcome in the New Chinese Year of the Rooster. The Rowans Hospice Dancea-thon is at the Guildhall (Saturday 18 Feb). In this “challenge exercise event”, you’ll learn a different dance each hour for six hours, led by expert instructors. Wear comfy footwear and something purple or pink. There’s a Baby Rave for under 5s from 1-4pm, then Street Masters (ages 5-16), then the main action runs 6pm-till midnight for dedicated dance divas.

To get in the mood the night before, head to the

SILENT DISCO ATOP THE EMIRATES SPINNAKER TOWER (17 February). Bop your stuff (silently..) 100m up into the Portsmouth sky with the aptly named DJ Crabbie.

February – it’s actually looking rather good.

Half price cut and blow dry for NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY T&Cs apply With head stylists Shona or Marcus. When booking please quote ‘lifestyle magazine’ TWO COLOURING AND HAIR DESIGN 188 Albert Road 02392177200 twosouthsea.co.uk Like us on

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THE MARKET PLACE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY •

LOVE SOUTHSEA MARKET

Palmerston Road Precinct http://www.lovesouthsea.co.uk/ First Saturday and Sunday of each month March - November 2017 •

WOODLAND CRAFTS MARKET

Palmerston Road Precinct http://www.woodlandcrafts. co.uk/craft-markets-southsea/ 2nd Saturday and Sunday of the month, April - November 2017 one exception in October when Market is 21/22 (3rd weekend) •

HAMPSHIRE FARMERS MARKET

Palmerston Road precinct http://www.hampshirefarmers markets.co.uk/ 3rd Sunday each month, January - December 2017 •

SMT, ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES

Palmerston Road Precinct http://www.southernmarket traders.co.uk/ 4th Saturday and Sunday of each month, March November 2017

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s we welcome in the New Year, there's a real sense of excitement as we build upon our successes in supporting new and independent ventures and start to plan funpacked activities in Southsea. The emphasis continues to support local traders and encourage consumers to shop local.

The local markets are imbedded into the distinctiveness and vibrancy of Southsea.

Complementing the high street offering and contributing to the growth of the area, the local markets bring a real social, cultural and leisure aspect to the retail experience.

Local markets act as a stimulus for the area, attracting people, exposing shoppers to a mix of retail options and encouraging them to explore the local area. Southsea is a prime example of a thriving market environment and this year will see the introduction of a new 'Woodland Craft' market to complement the existing offering.

The Woodland Craft Market offers an array of traditional and modern handmade crafts and the chance to discover the very best in unusual crafts and gifts, not typically found on the high street. This new market launches from April in Palmerston Road and will run on the second weekend of the month.

MARKET START UP

With short term, one off and day pitches, running a stall presents a viable route for retail and start-up business to trial products, establish a customer base and develop ranges at affordable rates.

Southsea Bathing Hut, Simon Evans Paintings and Paul Parsons Artwork are all local Southsea traders that regularly use this platform to access the market and grow their business. If you are interested in receiving further information, contact Portsmouth City Council business@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

SHOWCASING THE TASTES OF SOUTHSEA

The Southsea Food Festival draws visitors from across the city and further afield. As we focus on the 2017 event, taking place on 15-16 July 2017, we are reaching out

to registered food providers. With an anticipated audience of over 45,000, hungry to sample local delicacies, it's a great opportunity to showcase the tastes of Southsea. To book your space contact events@portsmouthcc.go.uk

SOUTHSEA TRADERS

Southsea Traders gives businesses a collective voice, as well as it being a great way for businesses to meet with the City Council and keep abreast of new developments in Southsea and across the City. The purpose of the group is to raise and address shared issues and discover ways the council can support economic growth across the City. We welcome your input and encourage involvement, contact business@portsmouthcc. gov.uk for meeting dates and further information.

41

WHAT’S ON BLOOD DONOR SESSIONS

Fri 24 Feb COSHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE, WOOTTON STREET, COSHAM 1.30-3.25pm & 4.307.30pm Mon 20 & Tue 21 Feb, Wed 1 Mar FUNCTION ROOM, MOUNTBATTEN CENTRE 1.153.25pm & 4.15 – 7.25pm Wed 15 Feb THE VICTORY LOUNGE, FRATTON PARK, PORTSMOUTH 1.30-3.25pm & 4.30-7.30pm www.blood.co.uk

EXHIBITIONS & MUSEUMS

Aspex Gallery

WEDS - SUNDAY, 11-4 & BANK HOLS

Third Thursdays - every month open

Every Saturday FAMILY

until 8pm, check online for more info

SATURDAYS 11am-12.30pm FREE

Until 27 Oct EXHIBITION: CUT

The Vulcan Building, Gunwharf Quays

LOOSE by ILSE BLACK

Tel: 023 9277 8080

Sat 25 Feb ARTS AWARD

www.aspex.org.uk

CLUB 1pm

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard & Naval Museums

Every Wednesday MINI MAKERS 11am-12pm £3 per child. Led by trained arts professionals, each Mini

Wed 8 Feb ASK THE ARCHIVES

Makers starts with a story, before the

11am £5 Royal Marines Museum

children —together with their parents

Victory Gate, HM Naval Base,

and guardians — are invited to try

Portsmouth PO1 3LJ

their hand at a range of fun and

Tel: 023 9283 9766

exciting arts activities

www.historicdockyard.co.uk

Every Friday GENERATE new art and craft skills for people with Cont’d p.45

dementia10.30am-1pm FREE

FILM

T

Passengers USA/Hong Kong 2016 Director: Morten Tyldum Cert 12A

he Starship Aurora carrying 5,000 passengers and 250 crew to a new world at 50% of light speed (that’s 150,000 km/s and it’s over a km long!). The journey is due to take 120 years so the passengers are all in hypersleep and are supposed to be awoken four months before they arrive.

BUT - A computer malfunction brings Jim (Chris Pratt) out of sleep 90 years before his time. He is alone onboard for over a year, before he is joined by Aurora (Jennifer Lawrence).

That’s enough of the storyline - which really does tend to stretch not only the

fabric of space/time as it hurtles along, but also the dimension of believability. Director Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game) does not let physics get in the way of a good story and beams on board a large payload of romance, deceit, crises, great sets, self sacri fice and indomitable human spirit. You end up watching an engrossing (yet ultimately shallow) ‘cinema of the spectacle’. And you can’t get much more spectacular than a screen full of deep, deep space imagery or Jennifer Lawrence swimming in the aptly named ‘infinity pool’ which looks out to the cosmos.

Worth it just for the deep space imagery!

Russell Baldwin 42

REDISCOVERING THE ‘POMPEY MESSIAH ’

“I

Lizzie Wildgoose

was in Portsmouth Central Library”, George Burrows (Principal Lecturer in Performing Arts at the University of Portsmouth) tells me, “trying to learn about Portsmouth’s musical past”.

On opening an innocuous looking filing cabinet, he came across a manila envelope. Inside it he found a programme from a concert given in Portsmouth in 1812 that contained the words to Handel’s Messiah. In the margins were hand-written notes in Italian made by an audience member, which instantly brought the concert alive for George. After three years of research George is finally fulfilling his dream of re-creating Portsmouth’s very own version of Handel’s Messiah in a concert in March.

The 1812 ‘Pompey Messiah’ was distinctive for the changes made by the visiting Italian superstar-singer Angelica Catalani. George’s enthusiasm is infectious as he regales the fascinating story of how Napoleon took a shine to the soprano when she appeared in Paris in 1806. She had already signed a contract to work in London, but Napoleon tried to prevent her from leaving France by confiscating her passport. However, she disguised herself as a nun and crossed the English Channel to start a new life in London.

Catalani took England by storm. When she arrived, at the age of 27, she was already a famous ‘prima donna’. She loved to show off and was particularly fond of delivering ‘over-the-top’ vocal embellishments. Respect for tradition was not her strong point, and in Messiah Catalani not only sang the opening solos, normally performed by a tenor soloist, but added songs that had nothing to 44

do with Messiah, simply to show off her voice.

Opinions were mixed. Some critics saw her as a ‘corrupting foreign influence’, whilst the Hampshire Telegraph described her appearance as ‘a constellation of vocal excellence’.

During the early 1800s Portsmouth emerged as a major hub for large-scale musical concerts and festivals. Messiah was regularly featured, probably influenced by the massive commemorative performances held in Westminster Abbey in 1784 to mark the 25th anniversary of Handel’s death. The ‘Portsea and Portsmouth Musical Festival’ was established in 1805 and proved very popular, but Catalani’s arrival in 1812 attracted record numbers of people to the city. However, as George emphasizes, the involvement of Catalani means negotiating a tension between “performing to the letter of Messiah and evoking the spirit of the diva’s disruptive performance”.

The ‘Pompey Messiah’ will take place at 7pm on Saturday 18th March in St Mary’s Church, Portsea. It will bring together 200 performers from

around

Portsmouth;

including

the

University of Portsmouth Choir, the Solent Symphony Orchestra,

Portsmouth

Cathedral

Choir,

St

Mary’s Church Choir and soloists from the Royal College

of

Music.

Tickets

are

available

from http://onlinestore.port.ac.uk/productcatalogue/music or at the door. As in Handel’s day, profits from the concert are being donated to local charities. To find out more about George’s research you can visit a free exhibition at Portsmouth’s Guildhall or at St Mary’s Church, Portsea.

Portsmouth Museums Sat 11 Feb TALK: EDWARD KING AND ST JAMES’ – MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN PORTSMOUTH

(CERT U)

Road Precinct

Fri 10 Feb FRANCOFINA (CERT 12A)

www.hampshirefarmersmarket.co.uk

Sat 11 Feb DIRTY DANCING

MUSIC

(CERT 12A) Thu 16 Feb I, DANIEL BLAKE

Portsmouth Guildhall

(CERT 15)

Until 10 Mar EXHIBITION: A SELF

Fri 17 Feb SILENCE (CERT TBC)

PORTRAIT Guildhall Café

Sat 18 Feb A MONSTER CALLS

Until 31 Mar EXHIBITION:

(CERT 12A)

GUILDHALL – A Moment in Time

THE 1944 BATTLE OF NORMANDY

Thu 23 Feb TAXI DRIVER (CERT 18)

Until 30 Sep EXHIBITION: THE ISLE

by Dr Simon Trew 5pm Dennis

Fri 24 Feb MANCHESTER BY THE SEA

OF WIGHT FESTIVAL

1926 – 1951 by Christine Lawrence 12 noon Portsmouth Museum Tue 21 Feb TALK: GERMAN PERSPECTIVES ON D-DAY AND

Sciama Building, University of

(CERT 15)

Wed 11 Feb THE KING IS BACK –

Portsmouth

Sat 25 Feb LA LA LAND (CERT 12A)

Ben Portsmouth is Elvis 7pm

www.portsmouthmuseums.co.uk

MARKETS

Mon 13 Feb BUSTED 7pm

Sat 4 & Sun 5 March LOVE

COMEDY CLUB 7.30pm

SOUTHSEA MARKETS Palmerston

Mon 20 Feb LAWSON PIANO

Sat 4 Feb PRINCESS MONONOKE

Road www.lovesouthsea.co.uk

TRIO 7pm

(CERT PG)

Sun 19 Feb HAMPSHIRE FARMERS

Thu 9 Feb THE EAGLE HUNTRESS

MARKET 10am-2pm Palmerston

FILM

No 6 Cinema

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Fri 17 Feb LAUGH OUT LOUD

Cont’d p.47

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Small family run business anything from plugtop to rewire Tel: 07837 998773 02392 358253 rob@camberelectrical.co.uk

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Island Feather is committed to inspiring and supporting others to find their freedom and live a healthy and happy life and will be found at local events around Southsea. For more information and online shop please go to: www.islandfeather.com @islandfeather

@islandfeatheruk

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Wed 22 Feb BRIT FLOYD Immersion

Thu 12 Feb THE GIRL FROM

Fri 3 Mar THE TOTAL STONE

World Tour 2017 7pm

MARS 7.30pm

ROSES 8pm

Thu 23 Feb BSO: OUT OF

Fri 17 Feb KATE NASH 8pm

Sat 4 Mar JERRY WILLIAMS 8pm

DRESDEN 7.30pm

Fri 17 Feb WOLF CUB CLUB 10pm

PLEASE NOTE THIS LIST IS NOT

Thu 23 Feb PORTSMOUTH

Sat 18 Feb THE FIFTH ANNUAL ST

EXHAUSTIVE AS NEW EVENTS

GUILDHALL ORGAN RECITALS

VALENTINES MASSACRE 7pm

MAY HAVE BEEN ADDED SINCE

Matthew Dixon 12.30pm

Sat 18 Feb RICHARD

THE MAGAZINE WENT TO PRINT.

MORRIS 7.30pm

PLEASE VISIT www.wedgewood-

Sat 18 Feb HITFACED 11pm

rooms.co.uk FOR FURTHER INFO

Fri 24 Feb REVOLUTION PRO WRESTLING 6.30pm Guildhall Square, Portsmouth PO1 2AB Box office: 0844 847 2362 www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk

Wedgewood Rooms Sat 4 Feb MR B THE GENTLEMAN

Sat 18 Feb 2 PUNK 2 TWERK 11pm Sun 19 Feb SEANN WALSH: ONE FOR THE ROAD 7.30pm Wed 22 Feb SUNDARA KARMA 8pm Thu 23 Feb THE SHERLOCKS 8pm Fri 24 Feb WEDGE COMEDY CLUB 7.30pm followed by THUNDERDOME

RHYMER

10pm & IT’S A SIN 11pm

Tue 10 Feb WEDGE COMEDY CLUB

Sat 25 Feb SOPHIE ELLIS-

7.30pm followed by IT’S A SIN 11pm

BEXTOR 8pm

Wed 11 Feb LITTLE COMETS 8pm

Mon 27 Feb LAUREL 8pm

PORTSMOUTH LIBRARIES Regular Activities RHYME TIME

Fridays 10am Alderman Lacey Library Wednesdays 2.15pm - term time only Beddow Library Mondays 10.30am term time only Carnegie Library Cont’d p.48

47

Wednesdays 10am Central Library

10am Beddow Library

Thu 16 Feb THEATRE TOUR 1pm &

Tuesdays 11.15am Cosham Library

Every Wednesday 1pm CAREERS

2.30pm

Mondays, Thursdays 10am,

ADVICE Beddow Library

Sat 18 Feb MOON ON A STICK

Saturdays 10.30am Southsea

Every Thursday CAREERS ADVICE

PRESENTS JACK FROST 2pm

Library

1pm Southsea Library

Tue 21 Feb PINOCCHIO 12pm

STORY TIME Thursdays 10am Alderman Lacey Library Mondays 2pm Southsea Library Every Monday SCRABBLE CLUB Alderman Lacey Library Every Monday RELAX WITH COLOURING

Every Tuesday KNITTING GROUP

Wed 22 Feb OLAF THE HORRIBLE,

Central Library

VIKING TALE 12pm

Every Tuesday CAREERS ADVICE

Wed 22 - Thu 23 Feb THE

10am Central Library

PRINCESS AND THE FROG 1pm

Every Thursday RELAX WITH

Thu 23 Feb THREE LITTLE PIGS 12pm

COLOURING Cosham Library

Fri 24 Feb PICNIC CHILDREN’S

SEE THE OFFICIAL PORTSMOUTH LIBRARIES

THEATRE Theseus and the

FACEBOOK PAGE FOR MORE UPCOMING

Monsters time tbc

EVENTS AT PORTSMOUTH LIBRARIES

Beddow Library Every Monday RELAX WITH COLOURING Southsea Library Every Wednesday CAREERS ADVICE 10am Southsea Library

THEATRE

Groundlings Theatre

Sat 25 Feb OPEN DAY 10am-1pm Sat 25 Feb FOX AND RABBITS IDIOTS GUIDE TO THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT 2pm

Sat 4 Feb MISSING DAN NOLAN

Wed 1 Mar AFTERNOON TEA

First Wednesday of the month

& HARD TO SWALLOW 7.30pm

WITH ROSIE GOODWIN 3pm

READING HACK 4.45pm

Sun 5 Feb MISSING DAN NOLAN

Portsmouth Central Library

Every Monday CAREERS ADVICE

& HARD TO SWALLOW 2.30pm

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NO CALL OUT CHARGE For all your plumbing needs call

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Cont’d p.50

Like us on

Follow us on

49

Wed 1 - Sat 11 Mar LES LIAISONS

matinee 2.30pm

DANGEREUSES 7.30pm

Sun 26 Feb LA BOHEME 7.30pm

BOOK 7.30pm, Thu matinee 1.30pm Sat 11 Feb ABBA MANIA 7.30pm

Thu 9 & Fri 10 Feb THE JUNGLE

42 Kent Street, Portsea PO1 3BS

Mon 27 Feb SUE PERKINS LIVE! IN

www.groundlings.co.uk

SPECTACLES 7.30pm

Sat 11 Feb DRAFTS 2,3 & 4 – ALL

Kings Theatre

Tue 28 Feb NT LIVE: AMADEUS 7pm

DAY WRITING WORKSHOP £30

Wed 1 Mar SCREENING: THE

Thu 14 - Sat 18 Feb SILVER LINING

Sat 4 Feb THEATRE TOURS 10.30am £6 Sat 4 Feb RULE THE WORLD – RECREATING THE MAGIC OF TAKE THAT 7.30pm Sun 5 Feb SWINGING AT THE COTTON CLUB 7.30pm Mon 6 - Sat 11 Feb DREAMCOATS AND PETTICOATS 7.30pm, Wed & Sat matinee 2.30pm Wed 15 - Sat 18 Feb GANGSTA GRANNY times vary: contact box office

AUSTRALIAN BALLET Cinderella 7pm

7.30pm Thu & Sat matinee 2.30pm

Thu 2 Mar THE ROY ORBISON

Mon 20 Feb BRIGHT SPARKS WORKSHOP 10am

STORY 7.30pm Sat 4 Mar THEATRE TOURS 10.30am Sat 4 Mar STAND BY ME A

Tue 21 & Wed 22 Feb FRACTURED FAIRYTALES 10am Wed 22 Feb MACONDO 2.30pm

Celebration of Ben E King & The

Sat 25 Feb BRIGHT SPARKS

Drifters 7.30pm

WORKSHOP 1.30pm

Albert Road, Southsea PO5 2QJ,

Tue 28 Feb - Sat 4 Mar JOSEPH &

Box Office: 023 9282 8282

THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR

kingsportsmouth.co.uk

DREAMCOAT – times vary, please

New Theatre Royal

contact box office

Sat 4 Feb JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH:

20-24 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth

Tue 21 - Sat 25 Feb 9 TO 5

MY LAST WILL AND TASTY

PO1 2DD Box Office: 023 9264

THE MUSICAL 7.30pm, Sat

MINT 8pm

9000 www.newtheatreroyal.com

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G BEEs

Southsea urban project ask for details

OTHER EVENTS Every Saturday & Sunday ODEON KIDS CLUB £2.50pp & free parking at Port Solent Every Sunday 2K & 5K PARK RUN 9.15am www.greatrunlocal.org meet Hilsea Lido Sat 4 Feb SOUTHAMPTON

COCKTAIL WEEK

KAREN SHARP QUARTET 7.15pm

www.winchestercocktailweek.co.uk

£15 Inn Lodge, Burrfields Road

Fri 10 Feb STAR-GAZING

Mon 13 Feb NOT ALL COCKTAILS

EVENING 7.30pm £5 Butser

AND COUNTRY HOUSES: THE

Ancient Farm

RETURN OF THE GOLDEN AGE

Sat 11 Feb BURLESQUE BY THE

WITH CAROL WESTRON 7pm £3

SEA TRIBUTE SHOW 7.30pm £10

Portsmouth Central Library

The Coastguard Studio, Clarendon

Tue 14 Feb LORD MAYORS COFFEE

UNIVERSITY CHAMBER CHOIR

Road, Southsea

MORNING 10am Banqueting

2pm Portsmouth Cathedral

Sat 11 Feb PREMATURE

Room, Portsmouth Guildhall

Sat 4 Feb RANDOM ACTS OF

ARTICULATION WITH

Tue 14 Feb VALE NTINES DAY

CHAOS – CHARITY MUSIC NIGHT

PORTSMOUTH WRITERS HUB 2pm

COMEDY 7pm £15 (Over 18 only)

3.30pm RMA Tavern

Canvas Coffee, P&S Station

Spinnaker Tower

Sat 4 Feb ROCK WITH THE FOXES

Sun 12 Feb RNLI PORTSMOUTH

Thu 16 Feb SPEED DATING

THEATRE D’AMOUR 8.30pm £7

COASTAL HALF MARATH ON £26

7.15pm £22 (Over 18 only) Spice

Over 16 only Royal Navy old

start at Pyramid Centre

Island Inn

Comrades Club

Sun 12 Feb TOUR AND TASTING

Fri 17 Feb GARY BARLOW

Sat 4 Feb JAMIE RAVEN 7.30pm

VALENTINES TREAT 11am £50

TRIBUTE 7pm £35 Portsmouth

£25 Ferneham Hall, Fareham

HAMBLEDON VINEYARD

Marriott Hotel

Mon 6 - Sun12 Feb WINCHESTER

Mon 13 Feb PORTSMOUTH JAZZ –

Cont’d p.52

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Sat 18 Feb THE ROSELLYS 7.15pm

7pm £20 meet Cockleshell

AND CREATING YOUR AUTHOR

Square Tower

Community Centre

BRAND 2pm £3 Portsmouth

Mon 20 – 24 Feb ALL THE FUN OF

Thu 2 Mar WRITING A PICTURE

Central Library

THE FAIR £10 per child Queen

BOOK WITH CHARLOTTE

Sun 5 Mar LEWIS & LEIGH 7pm

Elizabeth Country Park

COMLEY AND ANDY STEELE 7pm

Square Tower

Mon 20 - Fri 24 Feb

Carnegie Library

Mon 13 Mar PORTSMOUTH JAZZ

SWASHBUCKLERS KIDZ CLUB

Thu 2 Mar SPEED DATING

– JIM MULLEN QUARTET WITH

HOLIDAY 8.30am-5pm £25

7.15pm £22 (Over 18 only) Spice

ZOE FRANCIS 7.15pm £16 Inn Lodge, Burrfields Road .

per day Portsmouth Watersports

Island Inn

Centre

Fri 3 Mar LOCAL WRITER’S FAIR

Sat 25 Feb SOUTHSEA ANTIQUES

11am-3pm Southsea Library

& COLLECTABLES MARKET 10am

Fri 3 Mar TALK: CABINET’S FINEST

Palmerston Road

HOUR: THE HIDDEN AGENDA OF

Sun 26 Feb SEEDED DE-STASH

MAY 1940 with David Owen 7pm

11am Square Tower

£5 Portsmouth Central Librar y

Sun 26 & Mon 27 Feb THE

Sat 4 Mar PORTSMOUTH COPPERS

JERSEYS – OH WHAT A NITE!

WITH PAULINE ROWSON AND

7.30pm £20 Ferneham

GRAHAM HURLEY 10.30am

Hall, Fareham

Portsmouth Central Library

Wed 1 Mar ST DAVID’S DAY RACE

Sat 4 Mar BOOK COVER DESIGN

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52

Southsea Lifestyle makes every effort to ensure that the information in our listings is accurate at the time of publishing. It cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. We recommend that you call ahead to check times & dates.

T

PORTSMOUTH BOOKFEST 2017!

he annual book festival with something for everyone, Portsmouth BookFest returns in early 2017 and runs from 13th February-5th March with a packed programme of events.

Portsmouth has a strong literary heritage including Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and HG Wells and Portsmouth BookFest continues that tradition, attracting diverse audiences to exciting events featuring popular and accessible authors.

Portsmouth's seventh book festival will present a varied programme of events in 2017, with tickets available online, some events are free.Organised

by Portsmouth Writers’ Hub, presentations and workshops include crime fiction, romance, screenplays, creative writing and everything in between...Visit the BookFest website for lots more information and the full schedule of events and details of how to purchase tickets. www.portsmouthbookfest.co.uk

Why have 80% of Southsea Lifestyle’s advertisers continued to advertise with us for up to 11 years?

Because they get continual business from the magazine.

Email: info@southsealifestyle.com or call: 023 92812045 for a media pack today Southsea Lifestyle (Formerly the Southsea Directory)

53

FIT FOR 2017 Luke Newton

T

his year promises to be a huge year for the Southsea health and fitness scene.

Since opening SWEAT Southsea almost two years ago, and with the third Fitness Festival in it’s planning stages, we’ve been continually impressed (and flattered) by other local companies wanting to work with us. With shared values, backgrounds and experiences, it’s an opportunity to continuously learn from one another, improve what we all do and to offer the best possible experience to all our clients.

The Fitness Festival returns on Saturday 3rd

June and it promises to be bigger and better than ever. We’ll again be teaming up with national and local companies to deliver a free-to-attend event, designed to celebrate and inspire active and healthy living. You can expect a wide range of fitness classes and exhibitors, fun for the whole family and even special guest appearances!

We will be joined by the likes of: Canoe Lake Leisure, who this summer will enjoy their first full season of grass court tennis and the opening of their brand new pavilion, complete with roof terrace and

Photos: Johnny Black

fitness classes; Compass Muscle Therapy

The Fitness Festival website will be launch-

will return to the Festival offering sports

ing in early February! www.fitnessfestivals.com

massage therapy; We’re also working with start-ups including Island Feather, an innovative and inspirational new water-

Meanwhile you can follow us across social media #GetFitBert

sports and fitness-wear brand, born here in Southsea; while, Absolute Running, who opened their first business in Gosport in 2012, offering a range of fitness classes with an emphasis upon running, have just opened an outlet in Southsea, and will also be supporting the event.

Whether you ache from a sports injury or from tripping on the stairs we can help

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Muscle Therapy

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A NEW STAGE AT THE NEW THEATRE ROYAL Emma Beatty

S

cott Ramsay, 45, is the new Chief Executive of the New Theatre Royal. He’s been a manager, producer and practitioner in the theatre for 28 years, working with the likes of the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre. He’s also an acclaimed stage writer. We met up with him to see how he’s settling into Southsea

Where do you live in Southsea? I’m currently house-hunting for me, my wife Geraldine and seven-year-old son James. We’d love to be by the sea, it’s so exciting to be in a city like this – full of history. We can’t wait to start exploring. But, currently we’re renting on South Parade and watching all the shipping movements on the Solent.

Where are you from? I grew up in Perth, a gateway to the Highlands of Scotland, so a very different terrain. However, I spent most of my holidays in the fishing communities of Aberdeenshire. I’ve been living in Bishop’s Stor tford on the Essex/ Hertfordshire border fo r t h e p a s t e i g h t years, where I’ve been director of Harlow Playhouse.

The New Theatre Royal is a more 56

historical theatre, so I’m looking forward to exploring it’s beautifully ornate 19 thcentury spaces. It’s wonderful when you walk in, it feels like it's giving you a great big hug.

Any hobbies? I love writing big family musicals for the stage. I’ve done quite a few collaborations and it’s something I’d love to bring to the NTR. Outside of theatre, I like to play some golf and am keen on archery. And then there’s everything that involves having a seven-year-old son (lots of running around).

When do you start at the NTR? I officially take over on 1 st March, so am looking forward to the Summer Season, and being by the seaside too.

Any particular must-see shows coming up? In the coming Season, families should look out for The Jungle Book on the 9th and 10th February, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from 28th February to 4 th March, staring Joe McElderry, and theatre-goers should look out for Silver Lining, a new comedy

by Sandi Toksvig, from 15 th to 18 th February. When I start in March, we’ll

start putting plans together for 2018 onwards, and continuing to develop the theatre’s offer for Portsmouth.

What’s your mission? To lead the New Theatre Royal into its next phase. It’s just been rebuilt and we need to get the message out there – locally, nationally, internationally. We’ll be focusing on lots of collaborations and coproductions, and promoting a Creative Portsmouth. As well as theatre, musicals, circus, comedy, music, and new theatre, there’ll also be debates and workshops. Things like the current over-55’s dance workshops bring the building alive.

And I’ll be working with the university too; we’re very lucky to share a building with them and there are all sorts of exciting collaborations coming up – including with the “immersive technology” department. Watch this space.

What’s your greatest challenge? I think Finance is the toughest challenge for any theatre. We get monies from the local council, the Arts Council and various local businesses and foundations, but “bums on seats” are a huge part of our business and we’ll be focused on growing this in coming years.

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58