AUGUST 2017 ISSUE 031
www.winchestertoday.co.uk
HALF A MILLION REASONS TO SMILE! Hampshire Scouts raise £530,000 for community projects in Africa By KEVIN GOVER News Editor ONE hundred Scouts from across Hampshire have flown out to embark on a life-changing adventure to Tanzania. The intrepid teenagers have raised more than half a million pounds in a bid to make a positive impact to the international community. Between a safari and outdoor pursuits, the Scouts, aged 14-18, will challenge themselves to a range of charitable projects, including helping to build a new medical centre, providing skill workshops and renovating a primary school. The thrill-seeking youngsters also plan to mark Scouting’s centenary in Tanzania by creating a new activity centre, which the local Movement can enjoy for many years to come. This adventure headquarters will feature a mini-Jamboree, where the Scouts from Hampshire and Tanzania will come together for an unforgettable celebration. The preparation for this four week expedition started two years ago, during which time the Scouts have grown in confidence, learnt skills and made new friends. The young people have bonded over a series of weekend camps and team-building activities on the gear up to this once in a lifetime opportunity. 16-year-old Hannah Miller is from Winchester, and told Winchester Today more about the trip: “It’s been a huge challenge fundraising in between school, but one that’s pushed me to be the best that I can be. Without Scouting, I wouldn’t have been able to scale this on my own and I’m now super excited to get out there and make the difference we’ve been training for”. Lead Volunteer, Julian Sore, says all the scouts have a month to savour: “Tanzania will be the adventure of a
Jane Austen duly noted page 3
PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: Pictured l-r at Heathrow Airport just before they boarded the plane: Molly Allsop-Smith, Matthew Walton, Jack Tugwell, Maddie Williams, James Toogood
Tanzania will be the adventure of a lifetime
lifetime for both the young people and adult volunteers. Not only will they have the opportunity to change the lives of local villagers, the experience is offering them the chance to learn new transferable skills and make lasting memories.” Scouting in Hampshire has already passed on goodwill and skills to 15
different countries. Adventurer and Scout Ambassador, James Ketchell, explained more about why they do it: “Scouting has a positive impact on so many lives around the world. Sharing adventures, making new friends, learning valuable life skills and gaining confidence is something every young person can benefit from”.
Addams musical a hit
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Is It Really An Emergency? Calls to Hampshire emergency services ‘unprecedented’ HAMPSHIRE Police have told Winchester Today that they have faced an unprecedented number of 999 and 101 calls over the past month, similar to other emergency services around the country. The surge in calls is believed to be partly attributed to the increase in good weather as well as an increased
level of alertness among the public following recent terrorist attacks. However, they have told us that they are finding that people are calling 999 when it’s not an emergency. The overall number of 999 calls between January to June 2017 has increased by 9 per cent (114,486 this year, compared with
105,212 calls in the same time period in 2016). The overall number of calls to the 101 non-emergency number in this time period also increased by 1 per cent (326,230 this year compared with 324,069 calls in January to June 2016). They say they always prioritise 999 calls over the non-emergency 101
number. When they have significant numbers of 999 calls, they dedicate more call handlers to operating these emergency calls. At peak times of demand, that reduces the capacity to answer non-emergency calls. The force says the overall message is to think before dialling 999 if it’s not an emergency.
How life’s a dream in the Big Apple page 8