perspectives September 2009
Enjoy your local area Supporting the economy, supporting you How are we performing? Annual Report see centre spread
Shrink your carbon footprint news from around the winchester district
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High Turnout for Elections
The election turnout in May for the Winchester District was 47.95%, (the highest in the South East Region) for the Euro elections, and 48% (one of the highest in the county) for the County Council elections. This year’s canvass started in August and forms have been sent to every property in the district, please return forms promptly once received. The new register will be published on 1 December 2009.
New Parliamentary Constituencies At the next Parliamentary elections, which must be held before June 2010, the District will be split into two Constituencies: Winchester: Covering the following Wards - Colden Common & Twyford, Compton & Otterbourne, Itchen Valley, Kings Worthy, Littleton & Harestock, Olivers Battery & Badger Farm, St. Barnabas, St. John & All Saints, St. Luke, St. Michael, St. Paul, Sparsholt, The Alresfords, Wonston & Micheldever. It will also take in four Eastleigh Wards.
Meon Valley: Covering the following Wards – Bishops Waltham, Boarhunt and Southwick, Cheriton & Bishops Sutton, Denmead, Droxford, Soberton & Hambledon, Owslebury & Curdridge, Shedfield, Swanmore & Newtown, Upper Meon Valley, Whiteley, Wickham. It will also take in seven East Hants Wards and three Havant Wards. Please ensure you are registered in order to be eligible to vote. Call the Electoral Registration Office on 01962 848 125 or visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
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Recession support to
help the local economy Winchester City Council has been working hard to implement its package of measures to support people during the recession. In March 2009, £400,000 was allocated to projects to help businesses and residents. Three grant schemes are now available for businesses; G start up grant scheme – up to £1,000 for new businesses who have been trading for six months or fewer G
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business rates relief scheme – up to 100% off this year’s business rates bill if exceptional hardship can be demonstrated village and community shops grant scheme – up to £20,000 in one-off funding to help local shops diversify, improve and expand to meet the needs of their local community.
There is continued support for the enterprise culture present in Winchester; G Southern Entrepreneurs are delivering training and networking events for businesses
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local residents have benefited from ‘back to work’ training days held at Winchester Business Centre, including CV writing and interview skills
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training day on how to become self employed and start your own business.
www.winchester.gov.uk/ recessionsupport
LDF Feedback The Council consulted on its 'Preferred option' for the Local Development Framework Core Strategy from May to July. 600 people attended a series of public exhibitions around the District, and nearly 500 people viewed the on-line exhibition on our website. The consultation has now closed and representations have been received from a total of 850 organisations and individuals. These will now be considered by the Council, alongside further technical studies and a sustainability appraisal, before the next stage of the Core Strategy is published. Work is underway to finalise infrastructure and transport requirements for new building and to check that the various requirements will not harm the viability of development. The public comments and further work will be considered by the Council's Cabinet (LDF) Committee during the Autumn with the next stage of the Core Strategy due to be approved in December for publication in January 2010. This 'Pre-Submission' stage is a more technical consultation on whether the plan that the Council proposes to submit to Government for public examination is 'sound'. Following this, the Council will submit the Plan in Summer 2010 and it will be examined by an independent Planning Inspector who will report in early 2011. If found to be ‘sound’ the Core Strategy can then be adopted. INFOBOXES: lookout for these boxes throughout the magazine for details of where you can find more information, or how to contact us.
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New Parchment Street
sculpture is flying high Parchment Street in Winchester is now home to the city's newest landmark, the Kite Flyer. Created by sculptor Marzia Colonna, the Kite Flyer is a bronze figure of a young man joyfully flying a gilded kite whilst walking across a bridge which spans Parchment Street at a height of nearly 6 metres. The bridge was constructed locally in the district by Denmead's Metal Art Design foundry. The commission came in response to Parchment Street businesses' quest to attract more trade to explore and appreciate the street's range of independent shops, restaurants and cafes - already a favourite with many local people. Winchester City Council, with partnership funding from the Business Improvement District (BID), has managed the commission in collaboration with the Parchment Street traders and residents. Marzia Colonna was selected following national advertising, and an exhibition of shortlisted artists' work in the Parchment Street Business Centre.
Marzia, originally from Italy and now living in Dorset, is an Associate Member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors. She said: "To me flying a kite represents "time out". With the Kite Flyer of Parchment Street I have tried to say: look up, watch a kite fly, reconnect with the simpler side of life and the pleasure it brings."
Winchester High Street Business facelift as Winchester High Street is set to have a facelift as usual preparation work begins
Winchester City Council is committed to supporting the economy, and retail is a key sector for the Winchester District. Our attractive streets, which already boast many fine examples of public art, are an important element of a successful economy. This project has enabled us to reinforce Winchester's reputation as a creative centre, whilst providing an innovative approach to improving business for the muchvalued retailers of Parchment Street.
for a re-paving scheme. Working in collaboration with Winchester City Council, Hampshire County Council has designed a ÂŁ2.5m scheme to enhance the High Street. This will also be extended to the area known as The Square.
The new landmark adds to the city's fine collection of sculptures such as Sir Hamo Thornycroft's King Alfred, Elisabeth Frink's Horse and Rider, and Antony Gormley's Sound II in the Cathedral crypt. Why not come to Winchester and go in search of the public art whilst you’re shopping or taking in the sights?
The High Street, which was first laid in Roman times, will be paved with York stone and will complement the historic buildings and monuments. Once complete, accessibility will be improved for the 15,000 people who pass through the High Street every day, and the completion of the scheme is set to benefit businesses, residents and visitors to this unique street for many years to come. Work will start on 14th September and will take a year to complete.
Download a copy of the Eye Openers guide from our website www.visitwinchester.co.uk/site/things-to-do/art-and-culture and start planning your exploration.
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www.hants.gov.uk/transport
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Historic Buildings and Climate Change Winchester is known and loved for its historic character. With over 3,000 Listed Buildings around the district, it’s easy to assume that ‘old-fashioned’ construction techniques or modern conservation requirements could hamper our efforts to be more energy efficient. But you could well be wrong. Historic buildings were built with high quality materials and designed to weather the centuries ahead in a way that their modern equivalents are not. Before the twentieth century, fuel was expensive and awkward to handle, and transport links were poor. By contrast, manpower was plentiful and cheap. Consequently, buildings were designed to use as little fuel as possible. Traditional buildings often retain the heat better than modern equivalents too, due to thick walls and small windows, and structures which ‘breathe’ with the changing climate. The continued use or adaptive re-use of ancient buildings in an efficient way is one of the most effective forms of recycling!
If you own an historic building, there is plenty you can do to reduce your carbon footprint without spoiling its interest and appearance. English Heritage has published a series of leaflets on reducing energy consumption in traditionally constructed homes, ranging from insulation and energy efficiency measures to smallscale renewable energy technologies. But be sure that you have taken every step to conserve energy before you start looking into alternative means of generating it.
Visit the English Heritage website at www.climatechangeandyourhome.org.uk/live or contact the Council’s historic environment service on 01962 840 222.
Shrinking our Carbon Footprint The effects of climate change are already being felt, and climate scientists are urging us all to cut greenhouse gases significantly. Lower greenhouse gas emissions mean lower energy bills, healthier lifestyles, better work-life balance, stronger communities and a more prosperous local economy.
Action by local people is needed too. To play your part, here are ten BIG things you can do.
Ten
BIG things you can do
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Don’t be a flight addict
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Insulate your home thoroughly
We can do this by all working together and taking action to reduce carbon emissions.
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Use your heating controls smartly
Globally, leaders will be setting challenging targets when they meet in Copenhagen this December. Nationally, the Government has just published its plans to cut the UK’s carbon footprint. Locally, the big organisations – Winchester City Council, Hampshire County Council, the health service, University of Winchester, the North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and local businesses – have agreed to work together to cut their carbon footprint.
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Rethink how you get about – share your car, use public transport, walk or cycle more
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Avoid wasting food
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Eat less red meat
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Switch to a “green” electricity tariff
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Switch electrical appliances off at the wall
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Reduce, Re-use, Recycle
To find out more, for other ideas of things you can do, and to join Winchester Action on Climate Change, the campaign for a low carbon Winchester, visit www.winacc.org.uk or ring 01962 827 083
10. Use your influence – with family, friends and colleagues
Look out for events and campaigns throughout the year.
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Coming soon to a street near you Winchester City Council is working with the Energy Saving Partnership to deliver the HeatSeekers scheme which identifies unnecessary heat loss from homes in the district and provides excellent rates for home insulation. HeatSeekers is unique in that a vehicle, with state of the art GPS and thermal imaging technology, will thermally scan your home identifying any heat loss to show where it would benefit from insulation. In order to get an accurate image, it is necessary for it to be dark and the heating on, so the surveys will be carried out between 8pm and midnight, from October to March. The vehicle surveys on the move and assesses up to 1,000 properties an hour. It will travel along your street at approximately 10mph and is clearly identifiable with flashing lights and a surveying sign across the back. It is important to note the camera can only see the exterior of the building and cannot see through walls.
The Energy Advisor will discuss the best options available to you and arrange for a full survey to be carried out for interested householders. Look out for the Heatseekers information coming through your door this Autumn.
Or you can act now take advantage of huge discounts available through the Green Homes Scheme If you already know that you want to improve the insulation in your home to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, then why not take advantage of the Green Homes scheme.
You may have already received a letter from them to inform you of the huge discounts available to properties for insulation, with prices starting from ÂŁ99. Some residents may also qualify for free insulation if they are on benefits or aged 70 or over.
Once the images have been captured, and if your property has been identified as potentially benefiting from insulation, you will then be visited by an experienced and approved Energy Advisor, equipped with the personalised thermal report of your home.
www.homeheatseekers.co.uk
If you want to make significant savings then contact Nationwide Energy Services, who are working on behalf of Mark Group, on 0800 633 5769, Monday to Friday 8:30am – 7.00pm to arrange an appointment.
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Annual Report Safe and Strong Communities
The annual report information in this section provides a summary of some of the key achievements from the year 08/09 and also important financial information. This year we also have details about what you think; the Place Survey carried out in Autumn 08 told us the things you enjoy about where you live and the services you receive, as well as areas where you would like to see things improved.
Economic Prosperity Leader project: we secured European funding to support the rural economy in the District. Around £51k has been allocated for projects so far, helping expand local food businesses.
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Recession package: £400k was earmarked to support projects directly related to the health of the local economy. A further £11K has also been identified within the revenue grants reserve to support the provision of debt advice to people struggling to pay their mortgages during the recession.
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Three key services have achieved Customer Service Excellence status as part of a programme to accredit the whole council over the next three years.
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WCC is continuously working to improve access to our services and we now have three Local Offices in Whiteley, Bishop’s Waltham and Alresford. We are working with our partners to provide even more services out in the District including the Development Support Officer from Winchester Area Community Action (WACA) who offers support to voluntary and community groups on a wide range of issues.
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Council house re-let times are down from 53.24 days in 07/08 to 46.28 days in 08/09.
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Hampshire Home Choice has launched and now provides greater choice and access to housing across Winchester, East Hants and Havant districts.
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Resident’s satisfaction with how Winchester City Council runs things is above the national average. 92% of people in the Winchester District are satisfied with their local area as a place to live; that puts us in the top 25% of places in the country.
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Tenant satisfaction has once again increased from 84% in 07/08 to 85.7% in 08/09.
Efficient and Effective
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You said: you love our museums and galleries with satisfaction figures in the top 25% of council’s in the country.
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You said: Only a small percentage of you feel that anti-social behaviour is a problem in your local area, making us one of the best performing areas in the country on this issue.
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You said: you agree that the police and other local public services seek people’s views about anti-social behaviour and crime in their local area; these levels are above average. You said: you are satisfied with sports and leisure facilities in the district; this result was also above average in the country.
High Quality Environment G
You are composting more with an increase in the waste composted up from 7.75% in 07/08 to 10.63% in 08/09, beating our target of 8%.
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State-of-the-art toilets have been opened in Abbey Gardens addressing public concern about the condition of public toilets in Winchester.
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Street recycling bins have been installed in the city centre to help people recycle when they’re out and about as well as at home.
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Financial Information Q. How much did the council spend? A. £121 million
Q. How much is the council worth? A. £433 million
The Council’s gross expenditure was £121 million, while the income generated from Council activities (such as rent from council tenants) was £56 million. The shortfall is funded by other external sources. These include council tax, grants from Central Government and business rates. The total amount of expenditure funded by council tax was £8.4 million. Business rates are collected locally and paid to the Government. The national total is then redistributed by Government when the grant settlement is announced. Winchester City Council collected £42.9 million from its businesses, but only received £6.1 million (14%) of that collected in the redistribution.
At 31 March 2009, the Council had assets of £490 million and total liabilities of £57 million, giving a net worth of £433 million. However, this includes the Council’s housing stock of more than 5,000 houses and flats with a total value of £363 million. The Council’s reserves at 31 March 2009 included £6.7 million, which can be used for financing capital expenditure, plus earmarked revenue reserves of £8.4 million. It is Council policy that the unallocated level of revenue reserves should not fall below £2 million and this amount is kept in a separate reserve known as the General Fund Balance.
Did you know?
Q. Capital spending – how much have we spent on projects this year? A. £6.7 million The Council’s capital budget finances the purchase of land and equipment that will provide economic benefits over a number of years. Major refurbishment costs and some grants are also included in Capital Expenditure. Among the most notable capital projects completed in 2008/09 were the improvements to council houses to reach the Decent Homes Standard prescribed by Central Government, grants for disabled facilities and grants for home improvement.
7%
Your Council Tax makes up of our total expenditure, the rest is funded by money we get from Business Rates, Government Grants, and income from the services we run. Full details are available on our website www.winchester.gov.uk
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Winchester’s Community History Partnership
The Community History Partnership (CHiP) is a newly formed organisation bringing together local history and archaeology societies, museums and other groups interested in the heritage of the Winchester District.
The partnership works with Winchester City Council’s museums service to provide opportunities to get involved with projects that people living right across the district can enjoy, from travelling exhibitions in village halls to community archaeology digs. CHiP has already been developing new resources for school visits. The group will also help community organisations to improve their marketing and PR to help recruit new members; make available the skills and advice of museums staff; work on joint funding applications, and encourage skill sharing and networking. The very first exhibition will be in the Church Hall in Wickham. Called ‘Romans in the District’, it will take place on Saturday 12 September 2009 from 10am to 6pm, with a talk by
Hampshire Finds Liaison Officer Rob Webley, at 6pm about objects that have been discovered locally. This interesting and interactive exhibition will keep children happy with lots to see and do, including a 'real' Roman soldier. We would like to hear from any local groups who might like to be members of CHiP, or who have any ideas about interesting ways to bring local history to life for the people in your local area. To get involved please contact Dick Selwood, the steering group chairman, on 01962 853 781 or at dick@ntcom.co.uk Future exhibitions will be advertised on www.winchester.gov.uk/events
Winchester Community Safety Partnership – key projects Winchester residents support Alcohol Exclusion Zone The Winchester Community Safety Partnership (WCSP) has recently undertaken a review of the current AEZ which covers the City Centre and immediate surrounding areas. The results showed that 66.4% of people support it. Respondents to the survey said that the provision of powers made available to the police via the criminal justice and police act 2001 has improved the quality of their life and increased their feelings of safety, particularly at night. Over 50% said that having the AEZ in place increased their feelings of safety saying that they either felt very much or slightly safer at night. The survey gave options for improving the coverage of the AEZ and the majority of respondents, at 47.1%, opted for the AEZ to remain the same size.
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Addressing the safety of our roads Research by the WCSP shows that Killed & Seriously Injured (KSI) accidents in Winchester occur most frequently on A & B Roads across the District: A joint partnership report has been published by the WCSP in conjunction with Hampshire Constabulary Road Policing Unit and Hampshire Fire & Rescue. The report was commissioned to gain a better understanding of why the number of these accidents had increased by 41% across the district in 2007 compared to the previous year. Almost 43% of these collisions during 2007 occurred on 60mph roads in Winchester, compared to Hampshire as a whole where 30mph roads were the locations for most killed and seriously injured accidents. Findings also showed that the majority of these road traffic incidents occur during the summer for motorcycles and the winter months for cars. The number of motorcyclist killed or seriously injured in 2007 had more than trebled since 2005 from 10 to 31. The partnership is now looking at ways to help prevent these accidents occurring in the district, through education and enforcement campaigns. You can find out about both projects by visiting the Community Safety Website www.wdsp.co.uk/communitysafety
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Here is a photo of Angus Whitehead (Mr Whiteheads Cider) demonstrating use of a traditional fruit press to make apple juice.
First LEADER grants for local rural businesses The Fieldfare Local Action Group responsible for allocating LEADER funding across Winchester and East Hampshire district has awarded its first grants, totalling £51,000, to two local food and drink producers. The first successful businesses are both members of Hampshire Farmers Markets, and the cash awards will help them to develop their existing businesses by adding value to their produce. Since March this year, over 100 local small rural businesses, farmers, foresters and community groups have asked the Fieldfare Local Action Group (LAG) to consider supporting them. The LAG has also introduced a “fast track” application process for projects valued between £2,500 and £5,000. With the current applicants seeking nearly £1.5m worth of investment support, the LAG has been busy
deciding which projects best meet local priorities and eligibility criteria. Fieldfare Local Action Group has been allocated over £2 million in LEADER funding until December 2013 by the South East England Development Agency, on behalf of the Government Department Defra and the European Union. The funding comes from the Rural Development Programme for England, and is aimed at assisting rural businesses, especially in the farming and forestry sector, and the communities around them. The money is available to applicants in the East Hampshire and Winchester districts, apart from the urban centres of Winchester city, Alton, WhitehillBordon, Petersfield and Horndean. Fieldfare Local Action Group has been awarded LEADER funding from SEEDA on behalf of Defra and the EU. The funding comes from the Rural Development Programme for England, and is aimed at assisting rural businesses, especially farming and forestry related businesses, and the communities around them.
For information about the Fieldfare LEADER Programme, visit www.winchester.gov.uk/leaderfunding or contact Ken Brown, Programme Manager, on 01962 848 588 or email kbrown@winchester.gov.uk
Winchester Sports Awards launched The Winchester District Sport and Physical Activity Alliance (SPAA) has announced the launch of the second annual sports awards for the Winchester District. Nominations are now being invited from local sports clubs and organisations.
The awards, which are sponsored by Wild Sports and will be presented at the Guildhall on Thursday 3 December 2009, aim to publicly recognise the commitment and excellence of coaches, volunteers, sportsmen and sportswomen across the Winchester District. The closing date for entries is Thursday 8 October 2009. Entry forms and further details are available by contacting Hannah Bone on 01962 848 231 or can be downloaded from the SPAA website
www.wdsp.co.uk/spaa
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Highways project successes St James Lane to Airlie Road After years of being an unsurfaced, muddy and unofficial footpath, work has started on improving this popular route to the University of Winchester and into the town centre for students and residents of Stanmore and beyond. The number of land owners involved had previously presented problems in improving the facility. However, Winchester City Council has now secured agreements with the landowners, A2 Housing, MOD and Network Rail, enabling the whole path to be improved and dedicated for public use. A total of ÂŁ40,000 of funding has been provided by contributions from both Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council following many years of lobbying by past and present Councillors from the St Michael Ward to have the route upgraded. The next stage of this improvement is to install street lighting; however, this is subject to planning approval and consultation.
Tower Stre et Car park The intern
al refurbishm ent o car park is n early comple f Tower Street te. The impro
ved facility has been en decks and p hanced with ainting of a refurbished ll surfaces, stairways. walls, ceilin gs and New energ y efficient li ghting has throughout been install to provide ed 20% impro 11% less e ved lighting nergy cons levels, with u m ption. Traff have been ic calming added and m new impro easures will link it to ved zoning key aspects o f th e car park o f Winchester. The improv ements wil l not only m pleasant pla ake the car ce for visito park a more rs it on a dail y basis, imp but also for the peop le who use roving the aspects of p look and als arking at th o the safety is location.
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rians w y Alresford's pedest to a project led b s k n a th r, fe sa t a whole lo n Partnership. w To g n si ri rp te n their e hool in Alresford
at Perins Sc ne, work started New footpath, Airlie Road f Jacklyns Lane. of At the end of Ju rk pa r ca ic bl e d new, pu to St James Lane ished across th to create a bran th will be establ pa ot fo ng a si , os ed cr et w pedestrian Once it is compl centre, and a ne n w to d that e th to ld school fie tructed. It is hope ns co be ill w e hool Avenu the end of the sc by point across The ed et pl m co ect will be most of the proj period. ing, and the summer holiday e new street light ud cl in th bo ay w part of the foot ting. The work is The car park and an pl w ne ith w scaped lresford Town area will be land t being led by A ec oj pr t rs Fi ns ovements in Putting Pedestria will reduce car m rk pa r ca m er -t aces for long t-term parking sp Partnership. The or sh e th up e g fields , and fre the school playin ss ro the town centre ac th pa ot fo uth sitors. The ial area to the so nt de si shoppers and vi re e th ith town centre w neys into the will link-up the r reduce car jour he rt fu to r de or ol in west of the scho town centre. e project - have lping to fund th he e ar m ho w of evelopment l The partners - al h East England D ut So e th m fro t from gran ty Council, and Ci benefited from a e th , nd Fu ns utions ral Tow pments. Contrib lo ve Agency's Small Ru de by ar ne utions from unity, New transport contrib l business comm ca lo e th m fro e mad Council. have also been New car park at d Bighton Parish an l ci un Co n w Alresford To
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Tower Str eet Refurb ishment
Caption
Perins School
Have
you used
your Local Office yet? Our Local Offices in New Alresford, Bishops Waltham and Whiteley have now been open for more than six months. Lots of people have visited them – have you? A Customer Service Adviser is available in each area once a week, to help you with a wide range of issues including: benefits, local planning applications, and how to use the new Choice Based Letting scheme. It is not only Council services that are available, in Whiteley the Police run a beat surgery every Wednesday so that residents can discuss incidents and issues of concern to them, and
Winchester Area Community Action (WACA) has just started a monthly service in Whiteley for voluntary and community groups in the southern parishes. A wide range of support is available including funding options, business planning, advertising, training opportunities, resources signposting, organisational and management issues. Opening hours of the Local Offices are as follows: New Alresford Library G
General advice every Friday, 9.30-1.00 and 2.00-4.00.
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Benefits or Housing advice every Monday, 10.00-1.00.
Bishops Waltham Citizens Advice Bureau G
General advice every Thursday, 10.0012.30 and 1.30-4.00.
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Benefits or Housing advice every Monday, 10.00-1.00.
Meadowside Leisure Centre, Whiteley G
General advice and Police beat surgery every Wednesday, 10.00-12.30 and 1.30-4.00.
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WACA advice for voluntary / community groups on the following Wednesdays - 23 September and 21 October, 10.00-3.00.
Call 01962 840 222 or visit www.winchester.gov.uk/localoffice
Double parking – make sure you know the new rules The City Council now has the powers to enforce double parking, parking across dropped kerbs and footway/cycleway crossing points; so make sure you know the rules to avoid getting a ticket. The purpose of these powers is to help prevent inconsiderate parking causing congestion and road safety problems. Action will be taken against vehicles that are causing or likely to cause a road safety hazard or obstruction to other road users or pedestrians.
What is double parking? Parking more than 50cm from the edge of the carriageway is classed as double parking. This may not cause problems for smaller vehicles, but can obstruct the passage of ambulances, fire engines, buses, waste collection vehicles and other essential vehicles. You could be issued with a ticket for double parking if your vehicle is parked on any part of the carriageway and no part of the vehicle is within 50 cm of the edge of the carriageway.
What is a dropped kerb? Parking next to a dropped kerb is where a vehicle has parked on the carriageway next to a place where the footway, cycle track or verge has been lowered to the level of the carriageway, or where the carriageway has been raised to the level of the footway, cycle track or verge. Dropped kerbs are there to help pedestrians crossing the carriageway; cyclists entering or leaving the carriageway; or vehicles entering or leaving the carriageway across the footway, cycle track or verge. Parking alongside a dropped footway can cause considerable inconvenience to vehicles trying to enter or leave premises, but it can also put vulnerable road users at greater risk of being involved in a road traffic accident.
These rules are being enforced throughout the Winchester District. www.winchester.gov.uk/parking
The Highway Code advises drivers
“DO NOT stop or park...where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles, in front of an entrance to a property or where you would obstruct cyclists’ use of cycle facilities, except when forced to do so by stationary traffic.”
Parking office on the move The Parking Off ice currently situ ated in Middlebrook Street will be relocating to th e main City Coun cil site in Colebroo k Street in the Autumn. Look ou t for exact date s on our website and in our offices. Th e move will not on ly enable custom ers to contact the co uncil about all services in one location, but also help us to reduce ou r costs and beco m e more efficient by only having one site to manage in th e city.
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Your Winchester Not Out? You should be!
As the trend of holidaying at home, or ‘staycationing’, grows, Winchester City Council’s tourism service has been looking for ways to encourage people to explore the district in new ways.
evolution of cricket across the county, and the other marking the various landmarks to Jane Austen’s life in Hampshire. Sightseers can choose from two free 12-page leaflets, each supported by their own dedicated websites. The two trails cross each other at Winchester, Alresford and Southampton meaning that they can be easily merged to create a single, longer itinerary that incorporates both themes. Please call Winchester Tourist Information Centre on 01962 840 500 or visit www.cricketingwinchester.co.uk or www.winchesteraustentrail.co.uk jane -6763 US0127
The ho
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The cricket trail, inspired by Alresford Town Partnership’s recently erected plaque commemorating cricket broadcaster John Arlott’s life, invites you to unravel the fascinating history of the sport from early developments in Hambledon and Alresford. The itinerary also includes Thomas Lord’s gravestone and the arts and crafts inn named after him in West Meon; the legacy of Winchester College’s great players, and of course The Rose Bowl – set to host the Test series in 2011. Also included are contact details for local clubs in the district to ensure that visitors and residents can either watch a match as part of the experience, or join in at a local level and play.
The Jane Austen trail starts at the site of the rectory in Steventon where the author grew up, with St Nicholas Church, where her father was a rector, close by. There’s an opportunity to discover the grand houses dotted around the north Hampshire countryside where Jane and her sister Cassandra spent their dancing years. The time Austen spent in Portsmouth and Southampton is also reflected. The author's happy years in Chawton are more accessible to visitors than ever before, thanks to this year's 200th anniversary renovations and events at Jane Austen’s House and Museum. The trail ends in Winchester where you can see her ledger stone and plaque in the cathedral, the house where she died in College Street and the small collection of memorabilia in the City Museum.
This magazine is produced by Winchester City Council. If you would like to contact us about any of the services featured in this issue, please see the contact details given in each article. You can also write to us at City Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ, call Corporate Communications on 01962 848 504, or email communications@winchester.gov.uk Telephone calls may be recorded. Winchester City Council is not responsible for the content of external websites. This magazine is printed on 75% recycled paper.
Tape versions are available on request from Winchester Talking Newspaper, through our Corporate Communications Unit.
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PTC0032-28972 Sept 2009 Designed by Winchester City Council. Printed by Bishops Printers.
Two ready-made trails have just been created – one tracing the