December 2015 by Winchester Today

December 2015

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

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Issue 019

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Focus On Winnall

Short Film Festival.

Winchester Today champions the city’s own Northern Powerhouse.

Meet the winners of the Winchester Today backed ‘Hampshire Prize’

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FREE

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Inside

On the right tracks? City’s MP on how commuters could shape the way train services are provided ...Page 5

Winter fuel: how wines from just down the road could form part of your Christmas table ...Page 12

Winchester Today – Your local FREE newspaper – and online daily at winchestertoday.co.uk

Win, win, win! Last chance to take a chunk from our £1000 winter prize fund. ...Page 11

WINCHESTER TODAY DECEMBER 2015

Welcome Letter From The Editor Not a letter this month, more a series of observations… *** Anyone with O2? How’s your connection in Winchester? Keep moaning - we have…

securing this year’s tree. It seems bigger and more spectacular than ever.

*** Congrats to everyone behind

Children from Years 4, 5 and 6 at St Faith’s C.E. Primary School in Winchester have visited the Houses of Parliament to support a class topic of Monarchy and Parliament and as part of their ongoing learning about British Values. They also met with Steve Brine, the MP for Winchester, and Baroness Meacher for a prearranged Question Time. Those questions included: “Why do children in London travel for free on buses but in Winchester they have to pay?” Each child was given a special certificate as a memento of their visit to Westminster.

*** Where did all the tinsel go this year?!

*** We only witnessed one “We’ve moved that for Christmas stock” this year in Winchester. Must be an all-time record.

St Faith’s School Special Visit

*** It’s that time of year again when we all try to get as much time together as we can on Christmas Day - that’s before the rows start blazing on Boxing Day. Maybe that’s the real truth on how it got its name. Good luck everyone.

Going by train? If you're using the railway network over Christmas and New Year from Winchester, please be aware that Network Rail is carrying out vital work to maintain the River Stour and River Avon viaducts. This will enable the Network to increase the speed of trains travelling over them and ensure the vital 130 year old rail bridges, can continue to provide safer and more reliable journeys for many years to come. Work starts at 11.30pm on

Christmas Eve and is scheduled to be completed in time for normal services to resume on Monday 4th January. Journeys between Southampton and Weymouth will be affected during this time and passengers should check before travelling. A revised timetable will remain in place on the rest of the network until Monday 4th January with a small number of other improvement projects taking place.

And so it came to pass that on the sixteenth day of the twelfth month in the year of our Lord 2015 that Tesco spread some Christmas joy.

“Petrol shalt be less than one quid per litre,” it decreed. And all other stations around became afraid...

WinchesterToday est.2012 Editor-in-Chief: Kevin Gover kevin.gover@winchestertoday.co.uk Designers: Jamie Ludlam - Layout Editor jamie.ludlam@winchestertoday.co.uk Katie Chappell - Ad Design Assistant katie.chappell@winchestertoday.co.uk With special thanks to Johnny Blonde for the original layout.

Some Festive Cheer at St Peters in Stockbridge

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

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

Web Editor: Andy Goddard andy.goddard@winchestertoday.co.uk

Cartoonist: Piers Baker

News & Features Correspondents: Annabel Radcliffe annabel.radcliffe@winchestertoday.co.uk David Cradduck Beccy Conway

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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!

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DECEMBER 2015 WINCHESTER TODAY

It’s Christmas!

Gabrielle Panayides, from Sparsholt Primary School, wins Steve Brine’s fifth annual Christmas Card competition. The 8 year old is following in the footsteps of previous winners Daisy Conway, Eleanor Ring, Liam Skeat and Ellis Gauntlett Boak, and won first place with painting of the Angel Gabriel celebrating the ‘spirit of Christmas’. Gabrielle, who also won the Year Four prize, now wins a family ticket for this year’s Jack & the Beanstalk pantomime courtesy of Theatre Royal Winchester. This year saw over 300 entries from 10 schools whittled down to a shortlist of finalists, and the entries were judged by celebrated Hyde artist Josephine Chisholm. As well as the main prize, there were also a range of year group winners and commendations. Toby

Chambers from Princes Mead School won the Reception year prize, and Izzy Hamilton from Kings Worthy Primary won Year One. A full list of year group winners and pictures of the winning designs are available at www.stevebrine.com/ christmascard There were also special commendations for Summer Allen from South Wonston Primary School and Thea Simpson of St Faith’s C of E Primary School. The Year Group winners all receive family tickets to Marwell Zoo, and all the paintings are now on display in the Children’s Library at the Winchester Discovery Centre until Christmas.

Speaking after the judging, Steve Brine said it was another record year for entries: “I was delighted so many schools were able to allow their children to take part. As ever, I am really grateful for everyone who helped to make this happen, including our sponsors Theatre Royal Winchester and Marwell Wildlife, as well as Winchester Discovery Centre who once again have been so kind and generous with their time and space. “My congratulations go to Gabrielle and all the Year Group and Commendation winners, and of course, to Josephine Chisholm who was a fantastic judge.”

Christmas Cheer For Needy Students, staff and friends of Peter Symonds College helped to fill a boot full of seasonal shoeboxes for Trinity Winchester. The gifts were delivered to the Centre in time for their annual Christmas dinner and staff members Jenny and Lucy are pictured here helping to unload the boxes.

Winchester's ever-popular ice rink continues until early January

The gifts will be distributed to those attending the Christmas meal – those in temporary accommodation at Winchester’s local hostels, the street homeless and users of the Nightshelter as well as the Centre’s service users.

WINCHESTER TODAY DECEMBER 2015

Guildhall becomes 1920s Paris

Winchester’s Guildhall was transformed into a stunning representation of 1920’s Paris recently, with over 170 people in attendance at a glamorous Charity Ball.

A collaboration between two local Winchester fundraising groups, 3Women and The Mad Hatters Present, raised over £9,000 for The British Heart Foundation. Aptly titled ‘A Night At The Moulin Rouge’, the evening featured predinner entertainment from vintage songstress Amy Baker before CanCan dancers took to centre stage, enthralling the audience. Guest speaker for the evening was Debbie Dashwood - a BHF-supported nurse from the cardiology unit at Southampton General Hospital who provided the audience with some insight into how the British Heart Foundation helps people whose lives are affected by heart conditions.

Guests then generously supported the Fundraising Auction. The Mad Hatters Present 3Women co-founder Fiona Whitehouse says the 12-months work to make the event happen paid off: “We’re thrilled to have raised over £9,000 for the British Heart Foundation, and our joint collaboration has enabled us to deliver an amazing night of fundraising and joie de vivre.” Neil Jarrett, Fundraising Manager at the BHF, is also extremely pleased: “We’re very grateful to 3Women and the Mad Hatters Present for raising so much money for our life-saving research. Heart disease devastates the lives of thousands of people every

Gardening December 2015 With The Veg Man. December is a quiet time in the garden as growth has quietened down, but there is still much that can be done to prepare for next year and in making the most of the crops from this year Many crops such as brassicas, parsnips, late planted carrots, perpetual spinach, celeriac and leeks, usually stand the winter unharmed by the weather, but the brassicas will need protecting from being eaten by pigeons. Slugs and snails can also be a problem. Hard red and white cabbages can reach maturity and blow. It is normal to harvest them as soon as they mature and keep them dry and cool to extend shelf life, but I have been experimenting with preserving them by making Sauerkraut. There are recipes available online, all that is needed is to shred all but the stalks very finely, hand mix with a small

quantity of sea salt and some caraway seeds and in a suitable vessel, let the product ferment for about a month. After that, seal and keep in a refrigerator. The result is delicious Cauliflowers seem to mature in bursts and are best dealt with when they are mature, by carefully cutting them up into florets from underneath and freezing. These are vulnerable to damage in the freezer and I always bag them and store in a cardboard box, taking out just enough for each recipe when needed. Some varieties over winter and mature as late as May the following year, but some varieties might fail to survive hard frosts. I find blanching unnecessary. December is a good time to deal with renewing rhubarb. Four or five years old roots can be lifted and left exposed to the weather until Spring.

On inspection, the centres will probably appear to have died off, but the outer parts will show new growth which can be cut off replanted. Dig good holes about three feet apart and plant out, incorporating some well rotted manure or compost. Do not pick newly planted rhubarb until the

following year, when the plants have established themselves. Always leave some older roots undisturbed to provide a crop for next year. If you have somewhere dark and cool, like a cellar, try forcing a few older rhubarb roots. Forced rhubarb can be expensive to buy, but is delicious. Treat the same way as whitloof chicory and cut as soon as ready. As crops finish, continue ground preparation for next year. As the land in and around Winchester is very light, I find it best to do all the digging

day. From babies born with lifethreatening heart problems to mums, dads and grandparents who survive a heart attack. And it’s only by helping scientists find the next breakthrough that we will can keep taking the fight to heart disease.”

Main Picture: Attendees enjoying the event. Neil Jarrett, Fundraising Manager at the BHF, with Debbie Dashwood, a BHF-supported nurse from the cardiology unit at Southampton General Hospital.

Pictured: the Moulin Rouge Organising Committee l-r: Michelle Beck, Fiona Whitehouse, Catherine Turness, Liz Trevor, Claire Wellman.

Images: Mark Etienne Photography

before the end of the year and last month’s article described how to trench dig and incorporate compost or manure. Leave the land undisturbed for frosts to break the Things to do: December is a good time to look over seed catalogues and plan planting for next year. Check on old seed packets and throw out any that are out of date. Parsnip seeds in particular, do not last and need to be purchased fresh each year. It is always worthwhile trying out new types of vegetables and most seed packets give clear cultivation instructions. Successive planting of salads for cutting, instead of growing lettuces, can provide a steady supply of salad leaves through much of the year and some will even survive a normal winter. There are also many interesting new seeds available, some from the Far East, which are worth trying. * Do not forget to cut the supply to outside taps and drain the

soil up and delay final cultivation until a short time before new seed sowing and planting, in the Spring. pipes to prevent frost damage. Taking out the tops of taps overwinter and putting them back when the weather improves in say late February/March is always a good idea. * Planting in December It is still not too late to plant out overwintering onion sets and garlic; bare rooted fruit bushes can planted successfully if the ground is not too wet and cold. Dig good sized holes and add some compost or well rotted manure and firm in well. If the ground is not right, when the bushes arrive, then heel them in until conditions improve. It is still not too late to plant out garlic and overwintering onion sets. See you in January!

DECEMBER 2015 WINCHESTER TODAY

Will an apparent inability to listen to commuters form major part of franchise renewal? Yet another row brews over dreaded Class 450 'Blue Trains' week public consultation will help to inform and develop the franchise specification ahead of the formal Invitation to Tender in April next year. The news comes as South West Trains confirmed to Mr Brine that the busy 07:05 service from Winchester to Waterloo, used by thousands of commuters each week, will switch from a Class 444 ‘white train’ to a Class 450 ‘blue train’. The MP for Winchester & Chandler’s Ford said the change was a ‘nightmare’ for many travellers catching that train and would cause a great deal of anger given the high cost of a season ticket from the city into London. “Regular train users know all too well what the ‘blue train’ means with its three in-a-row seating that puts you in a kind a uncomfortable straight-jacket and makes any meaningful attempt to work near impossible. It is a longer train, providing some 140 extra seats, and I’m told it will have wi-fi switched on but the blue trains are not popular and what’s more I always understood they were being phased out not increased.” The MP organised a public meeting with South West Trains bosses in

We hate them. We’ve said so for years. Now Winchester’s MP Steve Brine says local rail users have a ‘golden’ opportunity to shape future train services - and plenty of added motivation - as the busy

South Western franchise prepares to go out to tender. What’s causing said anger? The Class 450 ‘blue’ train – fine for a 20-minute ride from Clapham Junction to Brentford, but not so for a long journey from

November 2013 and says the new franchise was a big moment and an opportunity; “This new retendering process is a golden chance for my constituents to speak up on issues including the kind of rolling stock used on this line. Considerable investment is planned for the period of the new franchise so I want bidders to set out how they will best deliver benefits for passengers. A key focus will be to provide capacity to address crowding levels, and to ensure that the passenger experience is excellent so this is our chance.” Mr Brine is working with MPs from across Hampshire on future rail investment as well as to shape key asks for the new franchise. He is asking constituents to get in touch with their ideas and suggestions by mid-January. Full details and links can be found at www.stevebrine. com/trains At a recent meeting with South West Trains chief, Tim Shoveller and new Commercial Director, James Vickers, the MP also learnt the 17:39 service from Waterloo to Portsmouth via Winchester will switch from an 8-car ‘blue train’ to a 10-car white train. He described the news as “welcome”.

Winchester to London Waterloo. The Department for Transport is running a competition to procure a new operator for the franchise, currently run by South West Trains, that is due to end in 2017. A 12-

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WINCHESTER TODAY DECEMBER 2015

Review: Here Be Dragons by Sarah Mussi A highly recommended Christmas read for young people. Award-winning author, Sarah Mussi, steps away from her usual urban thriller offering with this wonderful contemporary fantasy, set amidst the slopes of Snowdon. Inspired by the Mabinogion tale of two warring dragons trapped under the mountain, the story starts on Christmas Day, as teenager, Ellie Morgan, searches its slopes for a missing girl. When she glimpses a mysterious

boy through the mist, she is compelled to find out more. What she discovers draws her into a battle as old as Snowdon itself. This story has a beautiful premise, and the dramatic backdrop of Snowdon, so brilliantly drawn by the author, provides the perfect stage for what is a compelling read. There is a rollicking pace, a likeable and gutsy heroine in Ellie, an adorable love interest, and a cast

of charming extras to keep the pages turning. With Here Be Dragons, Sarah Mussi has taken an ancient Welsh legend and wrestled it, kicking and screaming, into the twenty-first century. A master of suspenseful storytelling, she artfully weaves myth with a contemporary storyline and places them in a realistic setting to create a thoroughly modern book. The plot gets going from

the off and not a single word is wasted as she drives this gripping tale of love, deception and loyalty to its breath-taking climax. A marvellous Christmas gift, this captivating book would appeal to both boys and girls of eleven years old and over. Dreamy readers, in particular, will find this a treat to curl up with during the holiday season. Jane Howard

Dog owner receives 25-year ban City Council 'pleased with outcome'

Meet Ben, who is definitely going to have a better Christmas than last year. It's after Winchester City Council’s Animal Welfare Team successfully tracked down and obtained evidence to prosecute a local dog owner for animal cruelty and neglect. The dog, a Belgian Malinois, was found at a depot in Micheldever and was in a very emaciated condition. The dog was found to have a choke chain that had been on him since he was a puppy. The chain had become so small that it had started to embed itself into the dog’s neck. The 18-month-old dog was immediately taken to the vet to have the chain removed. After a month of recuperation Ben has made a full recovery. His owner was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. He was sentenced to an 18-week suspended prison sentence with 250 hours community service. He faces court fines of £4,000 and

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has a 25-year ban for owning or participating in the care of any dogs. Environment boss Frank Pearson welcomed the decision: “The Animal Welfare Team at Winchester City Council takes responsible dog-ownership seriously. We are

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pleased with this result and will not tolerate cruelty of this nature. “Fortunately cases like this are rare – we have had four successful prosecutions since 2013.”

DECEMBER 2015 WINCHESTER TODAY

WINCHESTER SHORT FILM FESTIVAL – proudly supported by Winchester Today. And so it was that over 150 filmmakers, sponsors, judges and special guests packed the Winchester Discovery Centre for the annual black-tie Winchester Short Film Festival Awards Ceremony. The event was also streamed live online to over 500 viewers, and rewarded the most exciting and original short filmmakers from the length and breadth of the UK. Awards were presented by Catherine Turness from Winchester BID, plus award sponsors including Adrian Deary from London Camera Exchange, Andrew Tilly from Dutton Gregory Solicitors, John Gillet from The Winchester School of Art, Dominic Carroll from C&CO Design, Kevin Gover from Winchester Today, and Matthew Martino from the Matthew Martino Benevolent Fund. Special guests at the ceremony included awardwinning ITV / BBC Series producer Alison Martin, and producer and sales agent Mark Vennis of Moviehouse Entertainment. Also present were members of the judging panel for the competition, Lorne Guy and Paul Carter from the University of Winchester, Lucy Mazdon and Steve Sanderson from Southampton University, and Caroline Sax from The Hampshire Picture Company. In response to the previous day’s tragic events that had unfolded in Paris, for some the spiritual birthplace of film, the ceremony began with a heartfelt speech by Lucy Mazdon, Head of Film at Southampton University, and was followed by an inspiring keynote speech on the importance of short film in the career of a filmmaker, given by writer-director Caroline Sax.

Of the 13 winners, 5 were from Hampshire, including James Quinn, who was awarded The Hampshire Prize (sponsored by Winchester Today) for his film The River, a short film about the loss of a young child / sibling and set on the river Hamble. The River premiered at the festival earlier in the week at a special screening held at Winchester School of Art, at which over 90 guests were present. The River was also given special mention in the Best Original Screenplay and Best Short Film Under 15 Minutes categories. James Quinn, director of The River, says the whole festival has been brilliant. “Since making the short list I have been really impressed with the level of every one of the films. I left the screenings feeling very inspired for future projects and, having won the Hampshire Prize and having got a couple of Special Mentions, it was a huge confidence boost to continue filmmaking. It is so rewarding to find a receptive audience for what is a deeply personal film, and even better to meet other filmmakers and experience the camaraderie of the film community. I’m already looking forward to submitting to WSFF 2016!” Images from filming ‘The River’ by Miles Quinn

WINCHESTER TODAY DECEMBER 2015

A Focus on Winnall

Winchester Today champions the city's own Northern Powerhouse. Travel down from the Winnall exit of the M3 towards the city centre at the moment and you could be forgiven into thinking that Christmas had never arrived. No lights on trees begging to have some. No trees on buildings crying out for them. Buildings belonging to businesses who actually employ hundreds of people - a Northern powerhouse of its own. Winchester Today is proud to have moved into this area; proud to declare that the company is sitting right in the middle of talented businessmen and women. It’s been an astonishing couple of months getting things together. Surrounding our office within a few yards - we are happy to know musicians, craftsmen, high class caterers, car repairers, media and music producers… as I write this, one of our neighbours is in the Middle East fitting a mast to a

yacht. Yes, we are proud to be here as as one of the newest residents of Winnall. In fact we think we are second only to Wickes as the newest resident. Not so clever though is the appalling broadband speed in certain parts of Winnall. If you live just half-a-mile from here, your broadband speed is probably three times faster. Hampshire County Council’s constant trumpeting of their success with more connected in Ropley and Bramdean, along with the 300th phone cabinet being upgraded etc etc., does grate somewhat when businesses supposedly within the city can’t get any higher upload than 0.96. Yes, those of you with 12 and above upload speeds did read that right! I’m sure I can get a better service from my mobile, and I pay exactly

the same for broadband as others. Anyhow, this is what Hampshire County Council told Winchester Today: “Improvement of broadband is a priority for Hampshire County Council and we are investing a combined total of £28.4m of public funds to increase coverage from 80% to more than 95% of premises across Hampshire. “The commercially funded rollout of superfast broadband, conducted by BT and Virgin Media, will reach around 80% of premises. The Hampshire Superfast Broadband Programme will build on this and extend coverage to 90% of premises by the end of 2015, with plans already in place to reach at least 95% by 2018. Our programme, which is delivered by BT Openreach, will help to fill the gap in smaller, rural areas that would otherwise be left out because the numbers of people who could sign up is not commercially viable.”

Winnall is an exciting place to be right now…

That’s all very well - what happens if we in Winnall are left in that 5%, and come 2018 we’re still no further? So why isn’t there someone coordinating this end of town? Why

Winnall - a history Until the early 1950s Winnall was mainly farm land owned by the Church Commissioners. Winnall Manor Farm was run by Frank Colebrook. The old Great Western Railway line ran from the station in Chesil Street, through the tunnel, emerging near the end of Garbet Road, passing under a bridge in Easton Lane and ran to the East along side what is now Erasmus Park, student hostel and then Moorside Road and the A34, enroute to Kings Worthy, Alresford , Newbury and Didcot. Much of the land to the north of Alresford Road from St John’s Road to what is now the M3 was then occupied by allotments, some of which survived until much later until the final development of the land to the East of the top part of Winnall Manor Road was developed for housing, more than ten years ago. The land to the south of the

railway line was mainly bought by Winchester City Council in the early fifties and the Winnall Housing Estate constructed, while the land adjacent to Eaton Lane and Moorside Road became Commercial and Industrial. In the intervening period, much has changed in the commercial

part of Winnall as business needs have changed. Many city centre businesses such as the slaughter house in St Georges Street, what is now County Windows and Pipers soft drinks factory from the Brooks, Webb and Webb Poultry, from Stockbridge Road, later Webbs Country Foods and Hooper and Ashby from St Cross Road, were encouraged to move to Winnall and were joined by many new businesses over the years.

does the Winchester BID area end at North Walls? What is so wrong about all the businesses here in Winnall that they can’t be included? Winchester’s MP Steve Brine told Winchester Today that he feels much the same: “Winnall is an exciting place to be right now, whether as a local resident looking at city council plans for the area or as one of the many businesses now based in the area. It really has developed into a hub and I never cease to be amazed at the sheer depth of the local economy over on the Moorside Industrial Units. “Many challenges remain, not least traffic congestion which is another reason why the promised major improvements to junction 9 are so badly needed. I think the creation of a Winnall business improvement district, linked to the Winchester BID, could be important in better representing the area as a strong local economy going forward.” Local businessman Keith Webb thinks there’s a lot to be desired: “The Winnall Industrial Estate is a vibrant community, employing large numbers and constantly adapting to change but suffers from one major stumbling block, there is no common voice speaking for the business community and taking up issues with the City and County Councils because they have no political sway. Our three Winnall City Councillors Clive Gosling, Janet Berry and Jonathen Scowen are elected by the residents of All Saints and St John’s, and our County Councillor Fiona Mathey represents a wider area. “Winnall businesses, although paying huge sums in business rates, have no vote and as a result hardly seem to figure in our councillors’ responsibilities. Recently the City and County Councils commissioned an expensive survey to look into Winnall’s future, but seemingly very little has yet emerged from this. It is so much easier to commission a survey than take real, continuing interest in what is going on. “My personal experience over the fifty to sixty years that I have

worked and owned property at Winnall, is that councillors rarely even respond to e-mails from businesses and seemingly have no interest in their needs. We are told that the Chamber of Commerce can represent our businesses - but that is mainly Southampton based and organisations like BID are only concerned with City Centre matters and things like flower beds.”

Culverlands Press moved to Winnall Manor Road and is a major employer still. Talbots large site eventually became Basepoint and Kennetts sign factory became the Scylla Industrial Estate now home to ten businesses. Condors became a major employer in Moorside Road, the slaughter house moved there too and there was major development on either side of Easton Lane. Brazils pie and sausage factory occupied

land now used by Mercedes and Honda garages, Hooper and Ashby became Jewsons and various estates were constructed, with major development ending when Tesco and Homebase moved in. Many of the original large industrial sites, like Robinson’s Greenhouse factory site have been divided into smaller business units and fairly recently the Post Office, the new Fire Station and the Premier Inn have been constructed.

An industrial BID for Winnall? Great - but they have to want it!

Catherine Turness is the Executive Director of Winchester BID and told Winchester Today that she is fully confident that both can work sideby-side: “Various conversations have taken place about the future of Winnall, and I know that the City Council has begun scoping work. One idea is whether Winnall should have its own BID. “We’re very open to an idea like that and feel that it SHOULD be separate. The business needs are different - parking, deliveries, construction, etc. We also know that many industry bids work very well across the country. “But it needs to led by business leaders AND driven by them. The businesses themselves need to drive this. There also needs to be a collective investment which is ring-fenced. Above all, they need to want it!” Well, let it hereby be declared that Winchester Today would be very happy to be among those at the forefront of this idea and more than willing to help carry it forward. Watch this space!

DECEMBER 2015 WINCHESTER TODAY

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WINCHESTER TODAY DECEMBER 2015

It’s panto time! (Oh yes, it is…) Aladdin, Mayflower (until 3rd January) If the lavish costumes, big budget lighting and spectacular sets weren’t enough for you, this traditional seasonal jaunt into panto land requires you to wear 3D glasses for some of the cinematic effects. It’s certainly the first time I have seen rocks, birds, spiders and other paraphernalia hurtling towards you from a live stage. And the flying carpet special effect from Gary and Paul Hardy-Brown’s specialist FX company is truly magical. Add the big band sound, some other impressive

special effects, a Strictly-meets-The Palladium party atmosphere and you start to get the idea that this is a show that has, well, a lot of bling. And it’s great fun! So the plot may have got lost years ago but who cares? This is brash, loud, glitzy family entertainment and flashes its wares without modesty but with more than a little tongue in cheek. Did I mention Joe Pasquale, he of the squeaky voice and master of the ad-libbing monologue, as Wishee Washee, Aladdin’s brother and

Widow Twanky’s other son? Actually, this is largely the Joe Pasquale Show; his ad libs and one liners come thick and fast and by his own admission obviously vary every night, which must make life interesting for his colleagues on stage! Another admission is that Smee, Buttons, Wishee Washee and Jack are – when he plays them – “all the same character in a different costume… basically it’s that idiot in the middle of it”. And he pulls it off, without actually upstaging Duncan James doing a competent job in the title role. Pasquale plays the audience and his fellow cast members like a fiddle and is responsible for many a fit of

Review: Matt Mills discovers ‘Bridge of Spies’ is full of genuine suspense. (Directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance and Amy Ryan. Currently on general release through 20th Century Fox and Walt Disney Studios.) Ever since day one, there has been monumental pressure on Bridge of Spies to be an amazing piece of filmmaking - primarily because the names attached to it are some of the most well-known in cinema today. It is directed by Steven Spielberg, cowritten by Joel and Ethan Coen and stars Tom Hanks. A line-up like that is guaranteed to spark a tonne of

interest in the product. The film is set during the Cold War, and tells of Brooklyn lawyer Jim Donovan’s (Hanks) attempt to swap captured KGB spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) for American pilot Gary Powers (Austin Stowell), who is being held by the USSR after his plane was shot down during a reconnaissance mission. Just from that brief

summation, the fingerprints of the Coen brothers begin to appear, as their traditional exchange-orientated narrative – present in films like No Country for Old Men and The Big Lebowski – makes a triumphant return, with the Cold War setting only adding to the suspense. And this is a genuinely suspenseful picture. Spielberg relishes in Bridge of Spies’ slow pacing – there is only one very short action sequence in its entirety – using long takes and

giggles both on and off stage – whilst there is no real tradition pie-in-theface slapstick he still has to mop the floor after one scene involving much spurting of water. Ceri Dupree as Widow Twanky – ‘more than just a comic in a frock’ – completes the Twanky family with the usual pantomime dame panache and innuendo: “Viagra – can you get it across the counter?” asks Mrs T to which Wishee replies “If I take two, yes!”. Mr Dupree must spend half his time in the dressing room doing lightning quick changes and I would guess his numerous costumes and wigs must also occupy a van by themselves; his repertoire includes an excellent turn as Tina Turner alongside the more flamboyant panto jokes, frocks and huge headdresses. The sheer scale, technical complexity and budget of this show in a 2,000+ seat theatre all

make it an ultra-professional grand production; ironically this must make it more difficult for Joe and team to strike up that intimate rapport with the audience that smaller theatres and productions find easy. But it’s hugely entertaining and Pasquale certainly makes it look easy – if rather exhausting. Get along and see this amazing show that runs until Sunday 3rd January. But leave your 3D glasses behind afterwards or, as Wishee Washee cracks “we’ll have to pass the one remaining pair around a couple of thousand people”.

tracking cameras to create a film that is entirely reliant on its representation of its characters to create drama. Furthering that, these characters are near-perfect. All of them are memorable and likeable, thanks to a combination of well-written dialogue and exquisite acting; a surprising feat when you consider that – aside from Hanks – Bridge of Spies contains virtually no A-list performers. The chemistry between Rylance and Hanks is instant, and arguably the strongest element of the film. The narrative itself is also incredibly well done. It would have been easy for an American director like Spielberg to make a film about the Cold War ridiculously pro-USA (and had he made this film thirty years earlier, he probably would have), but Bridge of Spies adopts a more revisionist

ideology. There is no true antagonist: the Soviets send a spy into America, the Americans fly surveillance planes over Russia but in the end, they are both only doing what they feel is right for the safety of their nation. Granted, Spielberg does add in some overblown celebration of the US constitution – see Donovan’s early rant about how it’s what makes every American an American – but on the whole, there is no good or evil. I guarantee that Bridge of Spies is soon to be recognised as one of 2015’s best; a blend of political thriller, courtroom drama and even some elements of witty comedy. This is something worthy of the legendary people that made it, and is easily Spielberg’s best directorial output since ‘Saving Private Ryan’.

Star rating: David Cradduck www.mayflower.org.uk/Whats_on/ Panto2015

Star rating:

DECEMBER 2015 WINCHESTER TODAY

Review: Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime – a comedy by Constance Cox, based on a short story by Oscar Wilde - Cheriton Players Murder. How does one go about it? How does one go about it when you are told by a palmist that you are actually destined to be a murderer when the thought hasn’t even crossed your mind? And so here we are with a two-hour tale of twist and turns based on a short story by Oscar

Wilde first published in The Court and Society Review in late 1887. Add deception, blackmail and fraud and you have what turned out to be a splendid evening. I was astonished on four counts of major moments and ‘first-timing’: this is Sue Alexander’s first go at

directing a full-length play. I cannot believe it. The play fairly zips along and brings out the best in everyone. Secondly, this is by far the greatest ever challenge in a lead role for Craig Robb (Lord Arthur Savile) – again you would think that he has been doing this all his life, or that he’s a

CO M PET ITION

professional, or that he is very, very good. Or all three. My only worry is that he should really be encouraged to milk the (genuine) laughter. While we are still laughing, he’s rattling on sometimes with the next line. Pausing is a virtue sometimes. Craig’s reallife wife Kate Hinds plays opposite

him – her first role on stage for the Cheriton Players. Again, difficult to believe – no wonder she’s said to be “thrilled” to be playing the part. This is also Claire Smith’s first nonmusical production since secondary school and only Jenni Watson’s third with the Cheriton Players. Which brings us on to another dilemma. This was another soldout run for the Players. As you can see from my picture, the place was packed and the performances were sold out way ahead of curtain up on Day 1. What do you do? Add another day? Add a matinee? Or leave it as it is to ensure people book early for the next one to avoid disappointment? Well, here’s a bit of advice: tickets for the next show go on sale on 1 December. You have been warned! When you are as close to the stage as you are in the Cheriton Village Hall, you can see everything. I loved the facial expressions, the excitement, the horror, the genuine fear, the genuine threats. And “ze smoking beurm…” One of the best all-round ‘casting’ that I’ve seen for a long time, one of the best individual performances I’ve seen for a long time (Craig Robb), solid supporting performances from the reliable Helena Gomm, Richard Perkins and David Cradduck – along with superb direction. If this performance by the Players doesn’t pick up some local awards, then I’ll eat my hat. Just as long as it isn’t one belonging to Herr Winklekopf…

C OMPE TIT ION

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Winter Fuel

David Cradduck and Kevin Gover visit Hattingley Valley wines - creating a world class product right on our doorstep

WINCHESTER TODAY DECEMBER 2015

Approach Hattingley Valley Wines from the right direction and you’ll find them at the end of a long track at the end of a long road through the Hampshire countryside; it’s a beautiful drive and a beautiful way to discover them. The operation was established in 2008 with a 7-hectare south facing site. The technology was already out of this world laser guided. Simon Robertson had already been the owner of regional (mixed agricultural) farmland for 25 years before diversifying. The first crop was all barrel fermented, then 2 years in a bottle, then winning an award first time out. Way to go! Simon teamed up with Emma Rice in 2010, then Jacob Leadley in 2011. 25,000 bottles of wine was made from 25 tons of wine. It became 60 a year later (2011) and 2015 is expected to be 420 tons. As well as having its own vineyards, Hattingley Valley also make wine for other growers, the biggest being Cottonworth near Andover. As we were taken around the premises by Jacob (pictured) we were struck by how painstaking and meticulous the process is. Millions has been invested here. Machinery

comes from France - and so do the engineers. Our visit was at the tail end of harvesting (which was late this year, extending into October). The engineers were due to visit again the day after our visit. They come, because they know what they’re doing, as do the grape pickers. Hattingley Valley only employ professional travelling crews. We looked at the old French oak barrels from Burgundy that are used for special cuvees the colour and roundness of the flavour is the background for otherwise sometimes ‘thin’ English wines. If you have gone on a tour of the winery, you will know all about the tastings, upstairs around the HUGE table. But we were lucky enough to be one of the first to try the 2013 vintage. The Classic Cuvee was predominantly Chardonnay grapes and retails at £29.95 - we weren’t disappointed. Neither will you. We were also lucky to try a 2010 Blanc de Blanc - 100% Chardonnay grapes at £34.95. Next was a 2013 Red Admiral - experimental and sparkling only 800 bottles were made. This uses a Rondo grape from Germany. We also had the beautiful 2014 ‘Entice’ - a sweet dessert wine using the Bacchus grape. This is Jacob’s baby - even the bottle is amazing. This was awarded ‘Best Sweet Wine’ in England at the UK Vineyards Association Awards. Have a taste, you’ll understand. When you go along for a tour, have a look at the awards on the wall - including 2015 Best Vintage Rose in the World. Then remember that these wines are made in Hampshire, right on our doorstep. Highly recommended.

DECEMBER 2015 WINCHESTER TODAY

Advertising Feature

Holiday Inn Winchester celebrates AA 2 Rosette Award

The four star Holiday Inn Winchester is celebrating its recent AA 2 Rosette Award. The hotel already held a single AA Rosette Award and their general manager Siobhan Thomasson commented: “We are thrilled that the AA inspector felt that we deserved to receive a 2 Rosette Award this year and that her visit was so perfectly timed, just after launching our new a la carte menu that our recently appointed Head Chef Chris Keel had put so much time and creativity into developing. It is wonderful to be recognised as a hotel that provides high quality food and service. We are all so delighted and we can’t stop smiling!” Head Chef Chris Keel recently joined the Holiday Inn Winchester after twelve years at Chilworth Manor. “We all hope that Chris

will stay even longer with our hotel as he has settled in so well with his new team. It is wonderful to have such an experienced and

skilled head chef on board who is full of new ideas for exciting and inventive dishes, which were obviously enjoyed by the AA inspector,” commented Sarah Waddington, sales manager. A sample of what the AA inspector enjoyed included a starter of New Forest Game Terrine with blood orange jam and toasted thyme brioche, followed by a main course of Roasted Guinea Fowl Supreme with red leg partridge mousse, braised red cabbage, fondant potato and puy lentil glace, followed by honeycomb parfait with lemon curd ice-cream, all enjoyed in the intimate and contemporary setting of the hotel’s renowned Morn Hill Brasserie. “We are so fortunate to have such a well respected restaurant with such a talented head chef and team, including of course our front of house teams who all contribute to creating the perfect impression. We have great food and a great team which makes for happy diners,” continued Siobhan Thomasson. The AA Rosette scheme is long established and successfully recognises cooking at different levels nationwide. The success or failure in achieving Rosettes is based on at least one visit to a hotel or restaurant whereby the entire meal including ancillary items are assessed.

The AA inspector’s visit to the hotel is always anonymous and the hotel’s do not have any notice of their arrival. The AA inspector who visited the Holiday Inn Winchester commented on her experience: “The highlight of this stay, with the quality and skill level demonstrated at dinner, comfortably exceeding expectations for the grading. Very good skill levels, quality ingredients and clean, clear flavours. The honeycomb parfait and lemon curd ice cream was particularly memorable. There was an appropriate choice offered at breakfast with hot and cold items of good quality. A friendly team who smile and are approachable and the reception staff made extra conversation. There was an upbeat atmosphere.” The hotel’s food offering is extensive, besides the newly launched a la carte menu the hotel also offers a very varied and wide menu selection including a table d’hote menu, bar menu, children’s menu, afternoon teas and Sunday lunches. The hotel also hosts many business and corporate events, weddings, private parties and has their own special season of popular live music and dine events. “Business breakfasts, lunches and meetings are also very popular in our restaurant as business people find the location of our hotel so convenient for connecting with each other, with plenty of free car parking. The hotel has become a popular business hub and networking venue including casual meetings in our reception and bar areas where visitors can discuss business over a coffee or light lunch,” continued Sarah Waddington. The hotel already has a long list of awards including those for sustainability and Sarah Waddington said: “Visitors to the hotel are also impressed with our sustainable approach and those who have electric vehicles can also recharge their cars for free at our charge point by the hotel entrance.” Other sustainable awards include the Carbon Smart, Green Tourism, PEA Award and Beautiful South Awards, with another recent Trip Advisor Hall of Fame Award.

Perfect for celebrations, business lunches or intimate dinners At the Holiday Inn Winchester, our award winning Morn Hill Brasserie restaurant, bar and terrace offers the perfect setting for business lunches, family celebrations or small intimate dinners, and using locally sourced produce our talented Head Chef has created a sumptuous menu that’s suitable for every possible occasion. Enjoy alfresco dining this summer on our spacious terrace and relax in the sunshine with a refreshing drink of your choice…..make mine a Pimms!

For more information or to book your table please call 01962 670700

Holiday Inn Hotel Winchester, Telegraph Way, Morn Hill, Winchester SO21 1HZ

WINCHESTER TODAY DECEMBER 2015

Children and young people at Naomi House & Jacksplace hospices were in for a surprise as a Bell 212 helicopter - a

modern day equivalent of the iconic Huey UH-1N - piloted by officers of the Army Air Corps, landed in the garden

of the newly refurbished Naomi House. The pilots from 7 Regiment Army Air Corps were under

considerable pressure, as they were tasked with transporting a very important dignitary - Father Christmas!

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DECEMBER 2015 WINCHESTER TODAY

REVIEW: A LA CARTE menu. Morn Hill Brasserie, Holiday Inn, Winchester Food from a Holiday Inn as you could never have imagined

I’ve stayed at many a Holiday Inn in my time as a journalist, both in this country and abroad. They’ve normally just been as part of work, pitching up at midnight with just a bed to seek out and then cereals in the morning and off to work. Imagine my delight then in discovering something novel about our own Holiday Inn in that it had been awarded an AA 2 Rosette Award - and that as a result of all the hard work from the new Head Chef, everyone was naturally delighted. Regardless of whether the HI advertises with us, this is a huge event, and needed checking out. And we paid the bill as well! The first thing about the restaurant is that it’s very wide and welcoming as you descend

the stairs from the airport lounge. Sorry, hotel lobby. Well, it IS that big! The second thing I noticed was that the hotel restaurant was busy, busy. Good sign. I was brought a selection of breads to start with to eat while everything was being prepared - a nice touch of olive bread, pesto, balsamic and olive oil and beetroot chutney. So, where do you start with a menu that is packed with delights? There was nothing to do except take several items and taste a little of each. Well, a lot of each actually (!) I dived straight in with a local wild mushroom soup and Lymington Crab Brulee from the starters. The soup smelt divine and was served with olive bread which was lightly toasted and crunchy. The crab drew

an equal amount of ‘ticks’ on my menu - to get at it you have to crack through a salted caramel glaze, Heaven. It was also served with avocado and a Japanese yuzu dressing salad. I could already have stopped there - but hey, there was ‘mains’ to come! For this I deliberately tried something that I have never gone for before - a saddle of New Forest Venison, served with butternut squash marmalade (dee-licious), baby spinach, dauphinoise potatoes and blackberry jus. I just had to try the homemade thick cut chips. Can’t think why! I also tried an equally beautiful bowl of honey roasted root vegetables (perhaps a little too much butter, but that’s being picky). The recommendation of Granfort

Merlot, Pays d’Oc, France also went down well. If venison is not your fancy (and it’s an acquired taste for some), there was plenty else on offer too for lovers of meat or fish - fillet steak, guinea fowl, monkfish, turbot - and gnocchi and pancake for vegetarians. Oh dear, here I have to confess that I tried three desserts. Apple Tart Tatin - divine. Autumn Fruit Pudding soaked in mulled wine and presented on a huge glass plate - divine. The Hampshire Cheese Selection of Isle of Wight Blue, Old Lyburn Winchester and Tunworth soft pasteurised with crackers, celery grapes and homemade chutney - OFF THE SCALE. A minor criticism had nothing to do with the food. The Christmas tape or music feed seemed a

bit short / repetitive and I heard the same song three times. Or perhaps I had just been there enjoying myself for far too long?! After all, I would recommend you try something like this if you REALLY want to enjoy yourself and if you have NOTHING else to do afterwards! It was a windy, wet, drab day outside, and this was a perfect way to take my mind off things. Excellent food, excellent staff attention and great recommendations. Five stars to add to the hugely-deserved rosette. Kevin Gover

Now That's What I Call a Cheeseboard!

WINCHESTER TODAY DECEMBER 2015

Sport

Winchester City will be important time for revenue are at home to bottom club Images: v Wantage by Tony hoping for good weather for non-league clubs. Bashley on Saturday 2nd Smith Photography. over Christmas and New On Boxing Day, City are January. Year at what is always an away to AFC Totton, and