Winchester Today - August 2012

Cheriton - Romsey - Littleton - Alresford - Chandler’s Ford

August 2012

… and not forgetting Cheriton, Romsey, Stockbridge, Hursley, Kings Worthy, Littleton, Alresford, Chandler’s Ford, Micheldever, Bishop’s Waltham, and everywhere in between!

Monthly • Issue 002

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Dame With The Aim

What’s App

Jen Gaster tells Winchester Today about the perfect worklife balance Page 7

You wait ages for an app for Winchester - then 4 appear at once! Page 3

Welcome

Waving the Flag for Winchester Huge Success for Relay and London 2012!

Pages 9&16

to our second issue!

»

Meet some of the readers around town who

LOVE

Winchester Today!

Come see on Page 4

Photo: Lisa Gigante

New Kinds of Worries For City’s CAB

By William Brougham, Deputy Editor william.brougham@winchestertoday.co.uk

Support groups across Winchester say many of us are leaving it to the last moment as the recession drags on before coming forward with money worries.

They’re also coming across new worrying cases – those who have never been made redundant in 30 years of working.

The Citizen’s Advice Bureau says life is made even tougher for those suffering in the meltdown, because our city is one of the most expensive places in the country in which to live.

Inside this edition of Winchester Today we speak to two local charities about how the recession has affected us – and how seeking help could even save lives.

Unemployment may be falling across the country but recent figures show the country is still well and truly in a double-dip recession. The

sunshine after the rain seems a long way off. Winchester traditionally has a lower percentage of people out of work than the rest of Hampshire.

But the problems that families face remain the same, and there now appears to be even less time to sort them out.

Continues on Page 3

“We’ll be back!”

Hat Fair Defies Wash-out The Hat Fair’s Artistic Director is promising they’ll be back in 2013 – and even before – despite the weather doing its level best to ruin the event this year.

Kate Hazel’s putting on a brave face despite the obvious loss of revenue, and says she wouldn’t have planned

Inside

anything differently. So, while other events around the South were cancelled entirely, Hat Fair battled on through the rain. Now a ‘special’ is being planned for October.

STORY ON…

Story on Page 8

Winchester Today - Your local FREE newsaper - out every month.

Ideas for getting away from it all Escape ..................... 13 Annabel Radcliffe tries her hand at racing with Chris Gordon What it Takes .......... 4 Gold!

Brave Ben Beats the Bullies - Again!

Sport ....................... 16

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WINCHESTER TODAY AUGUST 2012

Welcome News in Brief

Stories for the breakfast table.

Letter from the editor When I began to put the first edition of Winchester Today together last month, I remember clearly what the first words would be: ‘Hatful of reasons to be cheerful for a fantastic July in Winchester.’

It was all there ahead of us: Hat Fair, Winchester Festival, Torch Relay, and the Olympic spirit with Winchester’s participation in London 2012. From that moment on, I have had no end of fun talking with people in the city and telling you their stories. Watching Winchester Today come off the presses was an amazing feeling.

Didn’t we all love the Torch Relay and the happy faces it brought to the city? London became as one with Winchester; Winchester became as one with London. But it didn’t stop; it went right through the Opening Ceremony and on to Gold after Gold, including our own Ben Ainslie. Isn’t it funny how we all became experts on fencing and judo, watching it at all hours because we wanted to be involved.

The reaction to what we created has been incredible; one person even re-tweeted her own tweet because she was so impressed!

We loved the response at our own launch at Loch Fyne on 2 July and all the messages of support.

Then came the rain. From the moment the paper was delivered, right through to Hat Fair and beyond. Just how wet did we get delivering the newspaper. So much so, that although we smiled, at times we were in tears. And the team here… wow. What an

amazing bunch. I am bowled over with the response – thank you.

Rebel, rebel… this bill is a mess Since I last wrote to you, our Deputy Prime Minister has appeared on the telly to state that he was abandoning the House of Lords Reform Bill. Ah, yes… the House of Lords. I could tell that you had totally forgotten all about this until Nick Clegg reminded us just why he was so angry, saying those that had rebelled against the Bill were “picking and choosing” which bits of the coalition deals they liked.

One of those rebels was our own Steve Brine. He did it “with a heavy heart.” Steve himself told the House: “This is a bad Bill being brought forward at totally the wrong time for the worst of reasons. You don’t take a bulldozer to the constitution of this country for the expediency of coalition politics.” Steve told Winchester Today: “The coalition is strong but it’s a coalition and there will be disagreements. Sometimes there even is within single party Governments.

I remember G.Brown and T.Blair as I am sure do you!” Quite. Lest we forget, Lord Coe might have been elected as an MP – but he received a Life Peerage in 2000 for his services to then Opposition Leader William Hague. One thinks Seb’s done quite a good job for this country recently…

The Olympics and Paralympics are shown on the big screen at Winchester Catherdral

London 2012 The Olympics in Hampshire If you have enjoyed the Torch Relay, Winchester Live and watching events on the big screen outside the Cathedral, why not find out more about the Olympics, past and present at a free exhibition at Hampshire Record Office, here in Winchester until 1 September.

‘The Olympics in Hampshire’ showcases Olympians and Paralympians with a link to the

county, such as 400m runner Iwan Thomas, judo medallist Kate Howey, swimmer Rosalinda Hardiman and historic figures such as 1932 gold medallist Tommy Green and cycling champion Charles Kingsbury.

Venues used for the 1908 and 1948 Games in Aldershot, Church Crookham, Portsmouth and Southampton are explored as well as information on the Olympic torch route through Hampshire in 1948, including a local link to the lighting ceremony itself.

Halfords in Weeke Flower Pots Inn, Cheriton The Co-op, Alresford County News, Alresford

Hampshire Record Office is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm (7pm on Thursdays) Saturday 9am-4pm (closed 27 August).

Transport News From City to City

Kevin Gover Editor

Photo: flickr-ATP

Winchester’s state-of-the-art Park and Ride buses are being commandeered to help out at the London 2012 Paralympic Games in August and September.

Your Winchester Today Thanks to all these wonderful people who have agreed to stock copies of Winchester Today for their customers:

Photo: Kevin Gover

There is also a chance to get up close and personal with a 1948 and 2012 Olympic torch at a free lunchtime lecture on Thursday 30 August. Hampshire and the Olympic Games: a local history of a global event will be discussed by Dr Martin Polley of Southampton University between 1.15 and 1.45pm. No booking is required.

The city’s buses have been chosen as they have been designed to be easily adaptable to accommodate the most number of wheelchairs per bus.

Cheriton Stores and Post Office Mid-Hants Railway (Watercress Line) Tichborne Arms Steve Brine’s Office, Stockbridge Road The Winchester Book Shop Dever Stores, Sutton Scotney Three Cups Inn, Stockbridge

But don’t worry about getting around town whilst they’re up in the smoke – Winchester Park and Ride will still be able to continue as replacement Stagecoach buses are being brought in as cover.

Interested in becoming a sport contributor or joining the training project for 16 to 25-year-olds, Project:Alfie150?

Drop us a line to news@winchestertoday.co.uk WinchesterToday est.2012 Editor-in-Chief: Kevin Gover kevin.gover@winchestertoday.co.uk Deputy Editor: William Brougham william.brougham@winchestertoday.co.uk Layout Editor: Johnny Blonde johnny.blonde@winchestertoday.co.uk

Property Editor: Adam Zuchetti adam.zuchetti@winchestertoday.co.uk

Photographer: Lisa Gigante lisa.gigante@winchestertoday.co.uk

Music Editor: Rebecca Rayner rebecca.rayner@winchestertoday.co.uk

Logo and Web: Gavin Harris at Plastic Box www.plasticbox.co.uk gavin.harris@winchestertoday.co.uk

News & Features Correspondents: William Brougham william.brougham@winchestertoday.co.uk Annabel Radcliffe annabel.radcliffe@winchestertoday.co.uk

Business Development and Marketing Consultant: David Cradduck david.cradduck@winchestertoday.co.uk

Sales and Advertising: sales@winchestertoday.co.uk Accounts: Dilyara Gover accounts@winchestertoday.co.uk 01962 868234 Winchester Today, Suite 123 80 High Street Winchester SO23 9AT

Winchester Today is a publication printed on newsprint, so after you have finished with it please pass it on so others can read it or take care to recycle or re-use it. Be kinder to the environment, thankyou!

AUGUST 2012 WINCHESTER TODAY 3 news@winchestertoday.co.uk

Economic Problems Far From Over

Families in Winchester continue to struggle – with less time available to sort out the problems

News

What’s App?

‘Visit Winchester’ – free from the iTunes store You know it’s always the same; you wait for something relevant to Winchester and Hampshire for years that could brighten up your iPhone - and then four arrive at once.

That’s exactly how it has been since our first edition in July, and so we’ve taken the decision to focus on one in each future edition so that we can explain properly how each works. We will also update our reports regularly to see if they take any notice of our comments!

Jenny Meadows, the Chief Executive of the Winchester Citizens Advice Bureau.

Continued from front page Leading charities across Winchester are urging people suffering from the economic meltdown to seek help sooner rather than later.

The Citizens Advice Bureau and the Samaritans say many of us leave it until the last moment to come forward for assistance or advice or do nothing at all.

The Chief Executive of the Winchester Citizens Advice Bureau, Jenny Meadows, says it is important that people do not feel they have to cope alone: “The one thing that is a worry for us is that people don’t take advice early enough. They get in arrears. They think they are going to get a job or they’ve got enough savings. They really should be asking for advice on day one.”

The Director of Winchester and District Samaritans, Grant WakefieldSmith, says getting help can even save lives: “Obviously the people who feel they can’t discuss it are at higher risk

of suicide because they’ve obviously let it build up because they feel they are a failure or can’t talk it over with their family.”

Jenny says fuel costs have been a major problem: “Our biggest difficulty is always going to be fuel poverty because you’re in fuel poverty if you spend more than ten per cent of your income on fuel. That’s becoming more and more prevalent in our area.”

“

We are seeing people who have never been made redundant in their lives.

”

But the Citizens Advice Bureau has recently lost some Local Authority funding which means that both its Winchester and Waltham Abbey offices operate one day less per week while most of funding for the Samaritans comes through public fundraising.

Photos: William Brougham

The Citizens Advice Bureau offers a holistic service and can give advice on anything from issues about employment to house, education or relationships. Jenny says they are seeing people who have never been made redundant in their lives: “Perhaps they have been in work 20 or 30 years, and just see themselves with a little blip and carrying on – and they are now really struggling. That’s a real issue.”

Unlike the CAB, Grant says The Samaritans does not offer advice but does provide non-judgemental ear to people who contact them: “What we will do is support them, we will give them time and we will give them a safe place to discuss all their fears and their worries so they can make just a little bit more sense of where they are.”

The Winchester Citizens Advice Bureau can be contacted on 01962 848000 and Winchester and District Samaritans can be contacted on 08457 909090.

Below: Grant Wakefield-Smith, Samaritans

This month we’re looking at the new ‘Visit Winchester’ iPhone app, which is a mobile guide to the city and the Hampshire area of the South Downs National Park.

It’s been developed by the Visit Winchester and the Heart of Hampshire Destination Management Partnership at Winchester City Council, with four sections covering things to do, food and drink, what’s on (which has already cleverly updated), where to stay and shopping.

The app contains listings for over 150 of attractions, eateries, shops and places to stay.

Each listing includes an image, full description, opening times, admission prices, location and contact details including email and web links.

The Council’s Deputy Leader Robert Humby says they’re always looking for initiatives to provide the visitor with easier access to tourism information and help drive the local tourism economy. The Winchester app provides another platform for tourism businesses to promote their services at no extra cost to them.”

** UPDATE ON THE APPS FEATURED LAST MONTH ** Hat Fair – the number of downloads stretched into four figures. Would like to see how this app could sustain momentum throughout the rest of the year.

Farnborough 6th Form – 700 downloads already and there are only 2000 on campus!

WE LIKE IT FOR: Its bright, modern design – coupled with well shot section images – and it’s free.

COULD HAVE DONE BETTER WITH: Some of the images submitted for the ‘Where to Stay’ section are not bespoke and are very poor, ruining the overall effect.

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WINCHESTER TODAY AUGUST 2012

First Edition

Loving Your First Edition!

All around the town for Winchester Today!

Clockwise from top-right; Hot off the presses!

Bev and Dorota at Baguetti Junction on Andover Road WT’s Kevin Gover with Winchester’s MP Steve Brine at the Leaf and Bean Café on Stockbridge Road on launch day “You Want HOW many beers for this?” – at the Flower Pots in Cheriton Launch Day – Party Time at Loch Fyne, 2nd July 2012 The Mayor of Winchester Cllr Frank Pearson gets stuck in!

Nyk and the gang at Nanoo Hairdressers

AUGUST 2012 WINCHESTER TODAY 5

News

Small beer? Not a bit of it...

David Cradduck on why you don’t have to be in the centre of town to taste the delights of Hampshire’s Beer Festivals. david.cradduck@winchestertoday.co.uk

afternoon, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. There will be hog roasts on Saturday and Sunday and you can pitch a tent and spend the night in a field next door if you book beforehand.

The pub, which has a large garden and newly extended kitchen, welcomes children and dogs and whilst the scale of the event is growing, there is still a village pub atmosphere to the proceedings which makes it different from the rather larger Flower Pots festival down the road. A pub has existed on the site of the present Tichborne Arms since 1423 and the unspoilt village is home to the Tichborne dole where, once a year, a gallon of flour is given to everyone living in the parish, a tradition dating back to the 12th century.

Out in the sticks, two village pubs are quietly getting ready for their annual BeerFests – The Tichborne Arms will be holding their fourth ‘Tichy Beer Fest’ starting Friday 17th through to Sunday evening August and a week later, over the August bank holiday weekend (24th-27th) the Flower Pots at Cheriton will host its now infamous beer festival as part of the annual Cheriton Beer, Balloon and Cricket Festival - which is not so much about hot air balloons these

days but certainly retains the other two ingredients a-plenty.

Tichy Beer Fest, as its name implies, is not huge and there are no hot air balloons (although a couple of years ago the sole remaining flying Vulcan bomber did an amazingly low, slow, noisy flypast). However for the discerning ale drinkers there are over 50 different real ales, many of them brewed locally, and four live bands will play on Friday evening, Saturday

Children are welcome – provided they are accompanied by an adult - in the garden and marquees but not in the bars, and beware: they don’t take credit cards.

Amazing to think that there is so much competition for events like these and yet neither has the merest hint of any advertising campaign to draw in the crowds – they just come anyway, to hug old friends, consume vast quantities of ale in the sun, take in some music and food and savour the last of the holiday before autumn appears again. The Pots especially seem to prefer keeping it all very hush-hush for fear of the event outgrowing itself or the queue for the beer tent wending

too far down the car park or interfering with the seemingly non-stop cricket across the way at the recreation ground.

Tichy Beer Fest, on the other hand, is growing in size and reputation and may soon need to change its name.

The Tichborne Arms, Tichborne, Alresford, Hants. SO24 0NA. Telephone: 01962 733760. email: tichbornearms@xln.co.uk Website: tichbornearms.co.uk Twitter: @TichborneArms The Flower Pots Inn, Cheriton SO24 0QQ. Tel:01962 771318 Web: www.flowerpots.f2s.com

The Tichbourne Arms, Left and The Flower Pots Inn, Below

The Pots, by comparison, has rather more room to spread and, although camping is not permitted the 5-acre field behind is usually full of cars at peak times. Plenty of enthusiasts come from far and wide to savour (and serve) the large selection of ales, non-stop barbecue and authentic tastes of the Curry Tent which covers most of the front lawn. Live bands play in the main tent from Friday to Sunday and there is always a good variety of music to suit different tastes and moods.

The Flower Pots also has its own award winning brewery which supplies many local hostelries, so their own beers naturally feature on the traditional chalk board which is full on Friday but gradually becomes emptier as the popular beers run out.

Winchester Today is pledging support to

as our nominated charity until 31st December 2015

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WINCHESTER TODAY AUGUST 2012

Features

What it Takes…

Club. For less than ￡25 a week you can have the pleasure of visiting the stables, trips up the gallops, shares in prize money of club horses and full membership at Fontwell Park.

Jenny was riding up front on the youngster. It brought a moment of reflection from Chris: “Jen’s a grafter.

It never would have worked if only one of us worked hard.” Working with a partner is renowned for being extremely hard; something I admitted to him I probably couldn’t do myself!

It also gives it a more personal touch that I felt owners must like. This combination has been working so far with 60 wins on the flat and jump racing and 20 in point to pointing since starting, 22 of which were last year alone. The economy yo-yo’s so much these days that for their sake I hope it’s just a phase that passes.

…to be a Racehorse Trainer

By Annabel Radcliffe annabel.radcliffe@winchestertoday.co.uk

Annabel Radcliffe tries her hand at racing with Chris Gordon at his Morestead Stables Blue skies and sun had blessed me on the morning I met Chris at his racing yard Morestead Stables, just outside Winchester. Chris and his wife Jenny have been training flat, jump and point to point race horses for 4 and a half years. An impressive 30 horses will be in training this winter compared to the 5 that they started with: “We began just as the recession hit; it was tough.

Bloody tough.”

It was a gamble that paid off; they’re still running and getting good results; more than a lot of others. By no means is it a walk in the park these days though; the pressure is always on to keep costs down. As a nation people have less money, meaning less ends up back in the sport. Prize money, once a good earner for all involved is now dropping, resulting in trainers having to boycott races to highlight the problem.

On arrival I was given a warm welcome, offered a ride on one of the horses (unfortunately had to decline), shown the yard and introduced to the rest of the team. Like most stables it’s a hive of activity, mucking out, sweeping up, circles paced calmly on the walker and untacking the horses from the last ride.

9am is breakfast time. Inside the kitchen huge collages cover the walls, photos of parties in full swing, crisp hunting days, racing mid stride and proudly held trophies: “Bacon? Can I

not tempt you? Even just a small bit?”

I was surprised that bacon was on the menu at a racing yard but remembered they work in all three disciplines. Flat racing is the most lucrative but strictest with the weight of jockeys, 8 stone is roughly what you should weigh. Jump racing eases off to about 10st and Point to Point is 12.

“

Others have never had a winner before.

To see their faces when that happens… it’s brilliant.

”

Once breakfast is over we’re outside for the third ride or ‘lot’ to have a ‘potter’ as it’s a Sunday. Three riders file out to be legged up onto their rides. A youngster, veteran and last season winner make their way to the track. Bumping along behind them in the car, Chris and I finally have a good chat. Unlike a lot of successful equestrian people Chris didn’t come from a wealthy or especially horsey background; his father was a teacher whereas his mother did have an interest prior to nursing. This was enough to pique Chris’s interest. He decided at 7 years old that he wanted to be a jockey.

Starting out in point-to-point working for Ann Farrant, he accumulated 150 winners. Then training for Simon Tindall for 7 years he managed

a further 69 wins. Chris claimed the South East Champion title in Point to Pointing 7 times and his wife Jenny was also Champion a respectable 5 times.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Chris referred to the rolling patchwork hills of Winchester. I agreed, like something out of a storybook. Or possibly a Jilly Cooper novel, if teamed with the yard’s friendly banter, the abundance of long legs and the ability to even make smoking appear fashionable again.

I have always wondered about the cost of keeping a racehorse; the subject comes up and I worry he might see it as bad taste (is that just a British thing?) – luckily, he brushes this off. £15,000 is the rough cost per year; a lot of money for some but not as much as I originally thought. £25 a day will buy you 6-8 races, full livery and 2 weeks much needed rest in the field.

“But first you have to buy the horse…” He was right of course, and this could be a potential minefield. Purchasing a thoroughbred racehorse can set you back anything between £1000 and £13,000,000!

Unfortunately for people with the cheque book there is no guarantee that the more you pay the better the horse is; it’s a gamble and just part of the fun.

For those who want the thrill of being a race horse owner without the responsibility there’s Chris’s new Racing

October is when the jump season really kicks off and Chris is looking forward to it. One old reliable of the yard is King Edmund, having constantly been with Chris and Jenny and performing consistently well they again pin more hopes on him. A newcomer to the yard is Takeroc, another one to look out for in the future as he’s already proven his potential; they are hoping to run him at Cheltenham this year. All the horses were spoken of with fondness and optimism for coming races but owning racehorses isn’t a business: “You should be prepared to potentially put your money down the drain, you can’t expect a return.”

It’s a pretty harsh realisation and one that only those that can truly afford it to not bat an eyelid at. So why do people do it? “It’s a high for some when they already have experienced so much. Others have never had a

winner before, to see their faces when that happens. It’s brilliant.”

Outside the atmosphere on the yard was pleasant, horses happy and well cared for. Good results were clearly well earned from this team. On request for a picture of Chris with a horse I wasn’t expecting him to jump on one minus a saddle. Absolute Shambles, one of the club horses stood there serenely to be photographed unlike any other supposed hot head thoroughbred I had seen. Back inside and polishing off the last cups of tea before leaving I had to ask the million dollar question. Chris only had to pause for a second before answering what’s the best thing about Winchester: “I’ve always loved the countryside, always.

The great pubs help too. Oh, and the girls love that Jack Wills place…”

As far as future plans are concerned it’s not about getting filthy rich for him although I’m sure there wouldn’t be any complaints: “I’m lucky to be able to work with my passion in life; I’ll be happy if we can just carry on.”

I believed him; so much had gone into the business. Blood, sweat and tears.

It would be heartbreaking to hear any other kind of outcome.

The morning’s nearly finished and it’s time for me to leave. I understand now why they say you get bitten by the racing bug, I feel like planning a trip to the races and even having a flutter after witnessing a couple of hours behind the scenes. (Watch this space! – Ed) The sport of kings, like many other things these days has become much more accessible to the general public.

I think we should all take advantage of enjoying it and after all, shouldn’t you always try something at least once?

AUGUST 2012 WINCHESTER TODAY 7

Dame with the Aim

you?’ he asked. I suspect all he could experience was noise and dirt where he was.”

Dame With The Aim: Jen Gaster – HR Heads Jen Gaster walking through Hyde

Editor Kevin Gover meets someone who thinks the city provides a perfect work-life balance.

I’m in Hyde with Jen Gaster who owns the human resources

company ‘HR Heads’… marvelling at the new old-style lamp posts that have been put up, agreeing that they add character to the area which she has loved for more than 8 years. Jen juggles a house, 5-year old son and a

husband in this area. The best thing of all is that she works here too, sometimes with just the back garden for company: “Someone rang me at work last week and all he could hear was birdsong. ‘Where on earth are

Jen loves Winchester: “It’s a place of friends. My business is here. I walk safely in the streets, I have a son at school here who has a huge network - and I wouldn’t swap it for the world.”

Like me, Jen thinks she should be endorsed by Apple: “The ability to work remotely is just fantastic. All business benefits from it. The iPad, the iPhone… wow. They allow you to be in a creative space and not just stuck in an office space.”

From a business point of view, Jen believes being in Winchester has an edge: “HR Heads provides senior management across Hampshire and Dorset and we’re on the company’s doorstep. Having said that, there’s no doubt that core talent will always gravitate towards London. Where we do well is that people want a work-life balance. They want to live near the coast, yet still live in the countryside. They can still have a relatively engaging job and we can provide that mix. Lifestyle wins.”

And Jen’s aim? “My ultimate goal is that I hope to help make Winchester a place that people want to be; a thriving community, but also one that has huge business opportunities. To provide local talent to those businesses is something that I’m passionate about and that’s where I start.” And is there anything in the way? My biggest obstacle is my time! You can only do so much but people know that about me. You buy from people. So if the relationship is strong, they’ll go with it.”

Jen’s not surprised that people will live here and commute. “They work to live. Life around here is amazing. Lots of people in my street have made the same move of moving out of London and living here. The money’s not the same here, but I’m not about the money.

Sometimes I just make friends out of the deals and it takes five years to make anything financially. We’re in it for relationships. We’re in it for

Are you a ‘Man with the Plan’ or ‘Dame with the Aim’ and would like to be featured in Winchester Today? All you need do is get in contact! And, no… it doesn’t cost you anything!

Simply drop us a line to news@ winchestertoday.co.uk

colleagues, friends and suppliers and comparing notes, or just enjoying time away from the relative seclusion of the farm.

The show must go on!

David Cradduck hopes the sun will shine on Alresford There have been so many cancellations this year because of poor weather, it’s difficult to find an outdoor event that hasn’t been affected. So the organisers of the 104th Alresford Agricultural Show, always held on the first Saturday in September, will be watching the forecast with a keen eye.

But this great annual agricultural event in the Hampshire calendar, held in the beautiful surroundings of Tichborne Park has not, in fairness, seen many no-shows, especially to inclement weather. If the showground is not under a foot of mud and impossible to get heavy machinery in and out of (as was sadly the case one year) then it’s business as usual. From early in the morning to well into the evening, the Alresford Show epitomises all things rural and appeals to all ages and walks of life. This year is shaping up to be a great day out for all the family and if

the sun shines, as it often does at this time in the late summer, it’s always a welcome bonus.

There’s always an impressive line-up of brand-spanking new tractors and other farm machinery (some with eye watering price tags to match); heavy horses, Iberian horses with riders in national costume, and all other kind of horses – many competing in the ring; there’s a grand parade of champion livestock, vintage tractors plus steam engines, horticultural show, dog show, poultry, goats, pigs, beagles and a food hall packed with local produce. The flower show and art and crafts marquees will be overflowing with exhibits together with fantastic shopping from over 150 trade stands.

Farmers, animal lovers, and people who live and work in the heart of this wonderful part of rural England rub

the long term. One day it will come to fruition.”

Mums and dads love it, kids love it, grannies love it and there’s a buzz (not just from the honey bees) that cannot be found anywhere other than at a proper countryside event.

It’s true that Highland Cattle can’t see where they’re going!

shoulders with curious town dwellers, out for the day to get a bit closer to the smell of Mother Earth, local business people, artists, traders of everything from spectacles and swimming pools to lawnmowers, houses, cars and beer.

And it’s a great place for meeting old

©Richard Turner

friends and acquaintances. Assuming that the harvest is in full swing, there may be one or two who can’t tear themselves away from the opportunity to gather in the corn while they can but otherwise the farming community will be found there in abundance, doing a bit of dealing perhaps, chatting to

This year the Alresford Agricultural Show will be held on Saturday 1st September and gates open at 9am.

Visit the website for more information at www.alresfordshow.co.uk and to buy tickets on line, or call 01749 813899 or 08452 305177.

Tickets are £13 for adults, £9 for senior citizens and accompanied under-15s go FREE. All tickets £1.50 cheaper if bought before 25th August.

Tickets also available from Morgan’s Hardware and County News in Alresford, SCATS in Winchester, The Petersfield Post in Petersfield High Street and Bishops Waltham Post Office.

Photographs.

All photographs taken by our staff photographer will be available to buy in the following sizes: 4 x 6 (£7.75), 5 x 7 (£8.75) and 8 x 10 (£9.75), plus postage and packing of £1.95.

You can buy a copy of the Farley Mount picture (Issue 1) right now using this order form:

Please send a cheque or postal order made payable to Winchester Today for the correct price to Suite 123, 80 High Street, Winchester SO23 9AT. Please allow 21 days for delivery.

Item

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WINCHESTER TODAY AUGUST 2012

Hatfair + Torch Relay

To

La Cossas Nostra

Rain? ‘Tis but a drop…

Kevin Gover on the spirit that shone through at Hat Fair despite the downpours kevin.gover@winchestertoday.co.uk You could well have imagined the response from the Black Knight in Monty Python’s Holy Grail had he been around for Hat Fair; keep soldiering on despite the torrential rain. As I drove through the Hampshire countryside on that weekend listening to the radio, I heard event after event across the south being cancelled. Not there at all. Yet here in Winchester we still had Hat Fair. Okay, so one or two elements had to go and they were biggies. But everywhere I went in Winchester on that weekend I saw fun through the rain and huge smiles.

Hey, we even had sunshine at Oram’s Arbour.

Arch of Starch

Ka-dunk-a-junk

A letter I received at Winchester Today backs me up: “Dear Kevin.

Please will you convey my congratulations to Kate Hazel. I thought the Fair was the best yet in spite of the weather. Well done her.” Jean Forster Artistic Director Kate Hazel spoke to me after the event and says she had to take risks: “In hindsight I really wouldn’t have planned everything any differently. We’re an outdoor festival and it’s the risk we had to live with.

Even despite the rain we still had audiences. We still had shows. People still wanted to see stuff.”

Kate says the financial backing they have meant they could take those risks: “Financially, it doesn’t have an enormous impact. We just didn’t get the public donations. We’re not reliant on ticket sales. We’re still hoping that people will be generous through the Gimme5 scheme - and we also hope to have a fundraiser around Halloween; a kind of Monster’s Ball-type event.”

Having seen the Hat Fair volunteers with their feet under water on grass in the centre of town, I know just how much Kate wants to thank them too: “It’s testament to a fantastic team that they STILL went out and did it.

Winchester entertained the crowds.”

As the Black Knight would say: “I’m invincible!”

Learning a trade in the Spinney Hollow

A welcome break in the weather with Magmanus

In the Pink, out of the Rain

HotchPotch

The Hatfair’s closing act

AUGUST 2012 WINCHESTER TODAY 9

Hatfair + Torch Relay

orch Relay: Pictures

All photos: Lisa Gigante, except Hotch Potch; Gilbert Yates & closing act; Ian Taylor.

10

WINCHESTER TODAY AUGUST 2012

Turn It Up! Set For Big Things?

Rebecca Rayner on the future of British music gathered at the first ever Burnout rebecca.rayner@winchestertoday.co.uk On a day to day basis Andover is a quiet and pretty normal town but from the 27th - 29th July it was overrun with musicians and bands about to make it to the big time. It was a joy to attend the first of what is set to turn into a must-go festival - as organiser Dom Patience already plans on making next year’s line up bigger and better.

That is somewhat hard to believe as this year’s lineup was amazing including headliners Don Broco, Bury Tomorrow and Futures alongside some explosive sounds from bands such as Canterbury, Burn The Fleet and The Xcerts.

The most exciting part about being there was knowing that the bands you were watching in the intimate indoor George Venue were all set for big things. Canterbury’s new album ‘Heavy In The Day’ reached number 1 in the iTunes rock charts. Bands such as Mallory Knox and Straight Lines have become firm favourites of the DJ’s at Radio One - and this could be one of the last chances to see some of the bands in such an intimate venue.

Rebbeca Rayner with Mikey Chapman

Overall the weekend was a resounding success as bands and audience alike mingled, chatted and watched great music. All I can say is Burnout Festival 2013 will be unmissable.

Visit their facebook page www. facebook.com/BurnOutFest for all the information about this year’s event.

I spoke with two of the bands from this year’s Burnout Festival, Mallory Knox and Straight Lines to see what it was like playing at Burnout Festival and what the future holds for them.

Mallory Knox set the bar high with the spectacular performance they gave on the first night. You can tell big things are coming their way but the band remain down to earth. I caught up with frontman Mikey Chapman to see what they thought about playing Burnout and the meaning behind the name Mallory Knox.

The crowd went wild as Mallory Knox walked on to play their set: “It was sort of hard to see the whole crowd but it was good working off

the people in front of us; loads of kids knew the words and enjoyed themselves and so did we. When people sing our lyrics it’s the greatest feeling in the world.”

What many fans may not know about this up and coming band is their name comes from the film ‘Natural Born Killers’ by Quentin Tarantino: “We wanted to go for a character name at the time, we were going to go for a character named Dorian Grey but unfortunately a very cheesy Hollywood movie about him came out so we couldn’t do it.

Instead we went for Mallory and I am glad that we did now because a lot of people don’t know the movie but they learn about it through us and realise just how much of a psycho she was.”

Mallory Knox doesn’t write songs about the movie though, instead it is much more real: “I’m not pretending that the songs themselves were written around it at all because they really weren’t but I think the love that Micky and Mallory have in the movie is a very strong bond; a very idyllic bond but it’s coupled with this manic aggression and I think in some ways that comes through in the music. We have our heavier and more aggressive bits but that’s coupled with the love songs and the melodic bits.”

Their EP ‘Pilot’ was released in 2011 and their highly anticipated debut album is due for release either later this year or early next year: “We’re really keen for it to get going and for people to start listening because we’ve been sat on it for a little while now and its been pushed back so the quicker it comes out the better.”

The band have been working on the music video for debut song ‘Death Rattle’ which is a must listen to, in fact Radio One has already been playing it regularly. “It’s absolutely surreal to hear our music on Radio One. We’re just small town folk from around Cambridge and we’ve been playing music for a very long time. We’ve looked up to both the artists and the DJs and you sort of think maybe one day we will be played. Now to wake up in the morning and be eating my CoCo Pops and hear Fearne Cotton and Dan Carter talking about us, it’s a feeling that really can’t be put into words.”

Not going in a straight line: ‘Straight Lines’ are touring the UK in the Autumn.

The Band does however plan to come back and play locally and Mikey has a particular fondness for Winchester: “My Auntie, Kim Ottridge, lives in Winchester and we absolutely love it there. When we’re down this way we always pop in and chill out. Hampshire is a beautiful part of the country, everybody is very nice and the towns are even

better so there is no way in hell we won’t be coming back.

‘Pilot’ is Available for download now on iTunes.

Visit Mallory Knox’s Facebook page to keep up with the latest news such as tour dates and album release: www. facebook.com/malloryknoxuk ‘Straight Lines’ frontman Tom Jenkins talks all things farming and festivals.

Straight Lines are not a band afraid of putting the work in.

They drive themselves around the country in a beat up old van going to countless gigs and festivals.

This year so far they have played around 10 festivals: “Our van is so muddy inside it’s unreal. I don’t want to clean it out yet because we’ve got another 2 to go”. They drove all the way down to Andover from Pontypridd, Wales, for their explosive half hour set on Sunday 30th July at Burnout Festival: “It was a two and a half hour drive for us so we literally just got here, unloaded and played. I think the George is a really cool venue and it’s run really well, the organisers of Burnout Festival have done an excellent job so it’s always a pleasure to come down and do these things.

We have played here before with Attack! Attack!

Who are good friends of ours which was a laugh.”

For Tom himself music isn’t the day job: “I’m a born and bred farmer, it’s my way of life. For some reason I got

into music, it’s a nice mix and an odd mix. Recently there was a feature on me in the Farmers Weekly which was pretty funny.”

Straight Lines second album ‘Freaks Like Us’ was released in April: “This album was sort of an observation of other people whilst the first album ‘Persistence In This Game’ was more personal lyric-wise”.

The band is excited to be embarking on their first headline UK tour later this year with support from Eva Rose who played the acoustic stage at Burnout Festival this year. In the past Straight Lines has supported bands such as Kids In Glass Houses but there is nothing quite like headlining your own tour: “It’s going to be our first ever big slog across the UK.” They will be playing the Joiners, Southampton on October 6th (tickets are available from www. artistticket.com for £6). There are exciting things to come for Straight Lines including a new music video: “We are doing a new video for ‘Ring The Bells’ which is one of my favourite songs from the album.

All I can say is there is going to be children in it.”

‘Freaks Like Us’ is available to download now from iTunes. visit www.straightlinesband.com for more information.

Don Broco, below,a headliner at Burnout this year.

Photo: Dan Hayball

AUGUST 2012 WINCHESTER TODAY 11

Property

Winchester’s insulation keeps the housing market snug property on Springvale adam.zuchetti@winchestertoday.co.uk Road in Winchester, in the late 1990s. He went to It’s never easy to determine what great effort to rebuild the original price to put on your most prized property into the character fourpossession when the decision to bedroom home that is currently for sell your home is made. And with sale. However the family didn’t get Winchester largely forgotten about to enjoy it for long, as Rob’s work in the breakdown of national as a senior IT executive took him house price statistics, combined overseas, first to Singapore and with months of poor weather, the Olympics and the ongoing recession, determining values can be a source of great frustration for local property owners – as Rob Behennah and his family are all too aware.

Figures published by the BBC on their website (bbc.co.uk) suggest Winchester property prices dropped 5.9 per cent in the year to March 2012, with the average price now standing at £334,514. However, this contrasts the House Price Index for the South East region – compiled by the Land Registry – which shows prices marginally higher in June this year than the same month last year, led by solid gains so far in 2012.

However, local property owners will be keen to know that an influx of curious house hunters from London are casting their eye over our city and surrounding villages.

Rob Behennah was a classic example when he purchased his

Adam Zuchetti, Property Editor

now Australia, and so the home has been rented ever since: “We’ve been living outside of the UK for five years and now we are moving to Melbourne, so we want to put everything into our life here.” He says it’s been incredibly difficult to decide to sell: “We love the area and were reluctant to let the property go. I worked in London at the time we bought it and we fell in love with the area – and we still love it.”

The decision to sell wasn’t the only one the family had to make: “It’s also been very difficult to pin down the price, because there are not

too many properties like it,” Rob says, noting that most other properties in the same price range are smaller thatched cottages around Andover. However he is confident of achieving a price that will help the family set up their new life.

Local estate agents are quick to suggest that Winchester is taking its lead from London, where prices have continued to grow strongly, rather than the broader South East region.

Chris Gooch, senior associate at Carter Jonas Winchester, believes London buyers are increasingly

recognising the lifestyle and financial benefits of the Winchester area, while still being able to commute to the heart of London in less time than it takes many Londoners to cross the city: “Buyers can choose to live in Winchester itself and walk to the station, or they can go the whole hog and move out to the countryside, where they will find property prices more than competitive with those in London.”

He points to the agency currently marketing a modern, four-bedroom family home in Springvale Road, Winchester, for £625,000, while terraces and apartments in London’s SW12 can go for £850,000 or more.

The branch manager of Fox & Sons, William Tilsley, agrees that Winchester is insulated from what is happening elsewhere, helped by a tight supply of properties currently for sale: “Prices in Winchester have increased by around 8 per cent more than the national average this year and properties are selling very quickly.”

William says areas including Badger Farm, Kings Worthy, Teg Down and Harestock have been the a particular focus for buyers, many of them from London: “We receive a lot of referrals...from people wanting to move out of the capital but who still need to be within comfortable commuting distance.

With its good schools, lovely city centre and excellent communications links, Winchester is a popular choice which ensures a healthy local housing market.”

12

WINCHESTER TODAY AUGUST 2012

Escape A beginner’s guide to one of the most beautiful parts of Greece Kevin Gover

kevin.gover@winchestertoday.co.uk

A couple of weeks ago I heard about traders in Athens who were no longer prepared to wait for a stable government, and who had taken matters into their own hands to promote the tourist industry in Greece. Their actions followed a year-on-year drop in tourism receipts of 15% from 2011. Shopkeepers have taken it upon themselves to promote their beautiful country through the web and collective buying of ad space.

Like us, they were fed up with the many depressing TV pictures we have seen from Greece over the past couple of years, which have distressed all of those who love this beautiful country.

Surely the biggest mistake we could all make would be to ignore the great times we have spent there in the past?

While we are all still basking in the magic of the Olympic Games, no trip to Greece would be complete without

Timing.

Timing is essential for a trip to Delphi to get the most out of your visit and day.

Look at this stunning helmet for example. You will not be able to take in the sheer size and awe of what was discovered at the Delphi site.

It’s very important that you leave enough time to visit the Delphi Archaeological Museum afterwards where you will see many of the original artefacts and statues rescued by archaeologists.

Museum entry is included in the price.

taking the drive north of Athens through the mountains to the sacred site of Delphi. This particular trip was away from the heat of mid-summer, and still managed to boast glorious blue skies and perfect weather.

If you are a beginner on trips like this, it would be best to leave everything in the hands of a coach driver and guide.

Our particular team left plenty of time for all of us to understand the historic importance and beauty.

History doesn’t have to be boring either. One jovial Russian tour guide was overheard saying to his admiring audience that the athletes who won in competitions at the Pythian Games held at the stadium here thousands of years ago did not take away any cash prize. Their laurel wreaths however were equivalent to platinum credit

cards when they returned to their city.

The wreath would get you anything and anywhere!

In Ancient Greece, Delphi was a living city. Most of the guides will have ‘overlay’ maps, and you’ll be able to imagine everything as it was; the buildings, the hierarchy, who lived where and why, the theatre – even the drainage system.

And then… right at the top of the site you’ll find the stadium. Preserved beyond expectations, it’s easy to imagine the noise, spectacle and celebration as athlete battled athlete to prove they were the best.

As you will see from the photograph, the higher up you are the more stunning becomes the scenery from the slopes of the Parnassus mountain.

When you visit, you will also see the care taken to spray the area with water

to keep it in good condition. Plenty of leaflets in Athens offering coach travel will list the price of a day trip to Delphi as around 90 euros per person including lunch. However, there ARE more bargains to be had, and in these economic times you shouldn’t even have to haggle for them. Some operators offer a 10% discount on top – and we even had a free taxi ride from Glyfada to the city centre. It’s simply because Athens was awash with tourists before the recession.

They need your cash and you should only part with it after some serious haggling.

How we got there: Winchester Today is keen to stress that this was an independent trip, with all flights and accommodation paid for by ourselves. The trip was carried out during September, flying non-stop London Heathrow to Athens via Olympic Air. Return flights for a 5-day weekend trip in the middle of September 2012 going out on a Escape: Top Tips Be prepared to be at the coach pick-up point in the city centre by 8am and not return until 8 in the evening.

Expect a long coach drive to and from Delphi – at least three hours each way because of the mountain roads. Take a book!

Allow at least three hours to see Delphi properly if you are making the trip yourself.

If you have the option to take lunch as part of the price, take it. Our food was fantastic. Drinks at lunch are

Thursday and returning on a Tuesday start at £294 with Olympic Air. At the time of going to press BA had a range of flights available between £218 and £282. bmi also have flights from £293 operated through Aegean Airlines Temperatures were very warm at around 27c, but not over-bearing. We stayed for a long weekend at the 3 star Hotel London in Glyfada booked through venere.com. We stayed in a double room which was clean but quite small - with a balcony and sea view. Glyfada is 90 minutes by tram from the centre, but at least it’s by the sea.

For a weekend break the hotel was not bad, but the roads are noisy and the hotel’s near a petrol station. Great sea view though, so make sure you ask for this and don’t get stuck on the side of the hotel which is next to the 6-lane main road! 5 nights averaged out over 85 or 115 euros per night came to a total of 545 euros (£440), including self-serve breakfast with PLENTY of good food available.

NOT included though.

Be prepared to climb a lot of steps, especially if you want to see the stadium at the top.

Take all eventuality of clothing. Temperatures at Delphi can still reach 28c in mid-September but it is high up in the mountains and the weather can change quickly.

Don’t burden yourselves with heavy bottles of water.

The Greeks thoughtfully provide watering fountains at various places around Delphi, just like they do at the Acropolis. Have fun!

AUGUST 2012 WINCHESTER TODAY 13

Treading the Boards

Review

Habeas Corpus By Alan Bennett RAODS, 21 July 2012.

Reviewed By

Beccy Conway

beccy.conway@winchestertoday.co.uk

∞∞∞∞∞ Classic Bennett comedy alive and hilariously well in Romsey The lives of the people of 1970s Brighton’s Hove begin to collide during RAODS’ recent production of Alan Bennett’s lewd comedy at The Plaza, Romsey.

Director Georgette Ellison’s cast masterfully reveal Bennett’s escalating comedy of mistaken identity and clumsily attempted seduction, as the surgery of Dr Arthur Wicksteed plays host to the unravelling of his career and family life.

Heather Whitham’s costumes effectively illustrate the 1970s style, whilst the relatively simple set and props make way for the staging of light slapstick comedy and superbly timed entrances and exits, which, combined with the cast’s abrupt interruptions and commentary makes for many a laugh.

Matthew Ellison’s portrayal of the hilariously disdainful Dr Wicksteed simultaneously has the audience laughing at his Basil Fawlty-like remarks and squirming at his lecherous actions, especially where Felicity Rumpers (Jennifer Hampton) is involved.

Her strong performance of the notso-innocent young woman Felicity, who has found herself in quick need of a husband, comprises a complex mixture of outward naivety and underlying manipulation, particularly of Dennis Wicksteed. And yet the audience develops some sympathy for Felicity when it comes to her overprotective mother, Lady Rumpers.

Maggi Pearman-Taylor positively spits Lady Rumpers’ contempt for the England she has found on her return from the colonies, and leaves us chortling at her continuously expressed regrets over departing from Addis-Ababa.

Dennis, the awkward acne ridden youth played amusingly by Steven Lilly, also solicits the audience’s sympathies when Felicity prays on his weak wills, owing to his assurance that he only has three months to live; a topic which becomes a cause for darkly comic confusion through a series of deceits as the play culminates.

Clare Groom’s snooty characterisation of the bored doctor’s wife Muriel Wicksteed, desperately trying to avoid the appearances of middle-age, calls for many laughs at her contrasting performance as the swooning, overzealous seducer of ex-flame Sir Percy Shorter. Shorter, convincingly played

by Helen Ford and Mr Shanks (Colin Pritchard), the unsuspecting salesmen of Connie Wicksteed’s (Anne Waggott) rather risqué purchase, together create a sub-plot of muddled identities which have the audience in fits of laughter as the characters

Picture: above, Dr Arthur Wicksteed MD of Brighton’s Hove can’t believe his luck when Felicity Rumpers (Jennifer Hampton) comes into his surgery and life - looked on by the ever-present Mrs Swabb played to perfection by Meriel Shepherd, in RAODS’ interpretation of Alan Bennett’s masterpiece in comedy, Habeas Corpus

discard their morals for a number of fast paced and later-denied trysts.

The entertaining frustration of Peter Moore’s bumbling Canon Throbbing and the sporadic, comically suicidal disruptions of Dominic Bolton’s Mr Purdue create interludes of comedy which give the audience relief from the ever-expanding web of concealments by the rest of the cast.

But stealing the show is the brilliant performance of Meriel Shepherd, whose game-show host style introductions and continuous commentaries of the housekeeper Mrs Swabb carry the play, keeping us all chuckling as she helps us to follow the entangling relationships of her fellow cast members.

Overall RAODS have done it again: the show is a huge success.

The audience leave the ever-professional-looking auditorium tittering at the comedic misunderstandings and deceptions of this fresh production of Bennett’s classic farce.

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14

WINCHESTER TODAY AUGUST 2012

Think!

Sudoku

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Difficulty: Medium

Concise crossword for a quick break 1

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Scribble space:

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2 Cinema display device (9) 7 Athletic sports (5,3,5) 9 Hang around (6) 11 Insect (6) 13 Japanese currency (3) 15 Left, Vanished (4) 16 Excavate (3) 18 Constrict (4) 20 Tiny piece (3) 22 Sculptured likeness (6) 24 Male goose (6) 27 Russian President (8,5) 28 Treble (4,5)

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Classifieds

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Answers to St.Cross-word 001: Across: 1.west indies 7.once upon a time 8.erect 10.eclipse 12.oscar 14.aruba 20. rapture 23.drier 24.verifiable act 25.straightly Down: 1.wooden 2.success 3.droned 4.e mail 5.beeper 6.limp 9.tea 11.i c u 13.cat 15.rod 16.brit art 17.gravel 18.nevada 19.gritty 21.part 22.unfit

1 List of items (9) 2 Crustacean (5) 3 Scottish archipelago (6) 4 Volcano (4) 5 Chewy confectionary item (6) 6 Resting place (3) 8 Consume food (3) 10 Colour (3) 12 Stamina (9) 14 Pen tip (3) 17 Music concert (3) 19 On the way (6) 21 Oil Sands (3,3) 23 Racing motorcar federation (1,1,1) 25 Trough (5) 26 ... My Ride Tv Show (4) 27 Edible plant Colloq. (3) answers in the next issue

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AUGUST 2012 WINCHESTER TODAY 15

Sport

Brave Ben Beats the Bullies - Again!

City looks forward to Paralympics

Pictures: London 2012 and LOCOG

Continued from back page; Main story would end up competing at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and said he could never say never: “I am not going to do a Steve Redgrave here, but I don’t think I could sail again.”

Staff at Peter Symonds College told Winchester Today that they were overjoyed at the success: “We are obviously really delighted for Ben. There’s a little sadness that Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson missed out on gold in the Star class… (they had to settle for silver as their fate changed in the final yards)… but we are pleased too for Ben Foad who’s a former ACCESS student from ACE on his bronze medal in the rowing.

Neil also responded to claims in some sections of the press that if you want to have an Olympian in the family you have to send them to an independent school: “Many in the media have been claiming that state schools lag behind in producing top sportsmen and women. Peter Symonds College’s record surely shows that isn’t always the case.”

“

Rio?

You can never say never.

”

Later this month the College will transfer their energy to support the Team GB Paralympic athletes and watching with keen interest the progress of current student Adam Knott in the Goalball squad.

Triathlon: Record Entries and £15,000 for Charity

All pictures: Helen Smith

By Richard Nichols Continued from back page The biggest winners were, as always, the volunteers and families who benefit from the amazing job that Macmillan do. Every penny raised from the event goes directly to the charity and so far over £15,000 has been raised with more coming in from individual sponsorships and additional donations.

Paddle – paddlers battle it out on the 2k kayak course along the River Itchen.

Pace – Darren Collins gets a well-earned bottle of water from a young volunteer after the 5k run.

Race Director, Rob Williams, was delighted with this year’s event: “The weather conspired against us all week and, with a waterlogged field, slippery roads, muddy paths and a record 300 entries, we weren’t sure how it would go.”

But Rob was delighted with how it turned out on the day: “It was a brilliant turnout, the sun shone and people just leapt in to help where they could. Everywhere I looked there were people smiling and laughing.

That’s why we put this race on every year - to help a great cause and have a little fun along the way.”

Next year’s race is already set for Sunday July 21st. Register your interest at www.winchesterppp.co.uk

Team Winners – ‘Les Tres Toros’ – team winners John Falconer, Luke Kirwan and Theo Webb.

Winners – Sam Westhead and Sarah Kingston – individual winners

Results: Men: 1st Sam Westhead (repeat winner from last year); 2nd Andrew Griggs; 3rd Andrew Garner Women: 1st Sarah Kingston; 2nd Suzanne Waggett; 3rd Rebecca Goldie The team event was won by Theo Webb, Luke Kirwan and John Falconer, racing together as Les Tres Toros.

Interested in becoming a sport contributor? Drop us a line to news@winchestertoday.co.uk

Sport

16

WINCHESTER TODAY AUGUST 2012

Inside: Triathlon, Classifieds, Property, Music & More

GOLD! Ben Ainslie at the start of the Olympic torch relay in May.

By Kevin Gover & Johnny Blonde They say that if Yorkshire were a country, it would lie 7th in the medals table. But if Winchester were also a country, it wouldn’t be far behind. Native son Ben Ainslie, joined in with Team GB’s Beijing busting medals tally by becoming the most successful Olympic sailor ever at this year’s games, winning Gold down in Weymouth. With this Gold, his haul of medals sits at

4 Golds and one Silver and Ben has indicated that this Olympics may not even be his last.

Ben’s Olympic dream hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing either, earlier this summer, He told how bullies had made his life a misery whilst at school in Cornwall, due to the sun reacting with his white skin. One wonders how they feel now... The 35-year-old former Peter Symonds student defied the bullies for a fourth time, winning Gold and

replacing Denmark’s Paul Elvstrom as the Games’ most decorated sailor.

Ben triumphed on home waters in the Finn class, in front of thousands of people in Weymouth.

He’d faced a tough battle all week with Jonas Hogh-Christensen, but managed to finish in the right place in the medal race to increase his Olympic tally to four golds and a silver.

Afterwards Ainslie spoke to London 2012 website about his feat: “It has been a tough week. There

Mud, Mayhem and Merriment

Winchester’s Supermen Stage Fantastic Display for Triathlon

Photo: LOCOG

was amazing competition, especially from Jonas Hogh-Christensen from Denmark, but this was the time to do it in front of a home crowd. I am just so glad for all the people that supported me over the years, all the people that came here to wave me on and all the people that have written in and supported us across the country.”

He was asked by various people about his future and whether he

Continued on Page 15 After a short downpour at around 7am, the Pedal Paddle Pace triathlon went ahead as planned and not even a waterlogged Palmers Field could dampen the spirits of the 300 competitors, their supporters and the many local companies who braved the weather to raise much needed funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The race went off in three waves from King Alfred’s statue on North Broadway, each wave cheered on by the Mayor of Winchester from the steps of the Guildhall. The roads out to Easton and back were clear and free of surface water, while the path to 5 Bridges Road was somewhat muddier with runners arriving at the finished caked in mud and wreathed in smiles. As always, the most fun was had on the kayak course with nervous first timers transforming into demon paddlers by the end of the 2k circuit.

Pedal – the first wave of competitors returns to Winchester after the 20k bike leg. Photo: Helen Smith

Continues on Page 15