February 2016

x February 2016

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

winchestertoday.co.uk

Issue 020

Focus On Winnall

FREE @winchestertoday

Winchester Markets

Winchester Today takes a winter stroll through Winnall Moors reserve

Traders urged to contribute to City Council survey of popular markets

Page 8

Page 3

It’s Back!

Inside

Entries open for Criterion spectacular - see back page

Review: 39 Steps Dastardly goings-on at Chesil Theatre ...Page 6

Price Of School Meals To Rise

news@winchestertoday.co.uk

The price of a school meal is to rise in April - the first increase in six years.

County bosses say to meet the rising costs of providing school meals, the 10p increase takes the cost per meal to £2.10. They say the price continues to represent good value for money for a two course, freshly cooked school meal. Children’s Services boss Keith Mans told Winchester Today that a healthy lunch at school contributes significantly

to a child’s wellbeing and their capacity to learn through to the end of the school day: “We’re very proud of the high standard of school meals that our catering service (HC3S) provides, using locally sourced produce.

“I am keen that school meals remain affordable but we must balance this against the rising costs to provide those meals.

In my view, the proposal to put the per meal price up by small increments

will avoid sudden, dramatic price rises and ensure the increases are manageable.”

Over 70,000 healthy school meals are served in Hampshire’s primary and secondary schools across the county every day.

All HC3S school meals meet the Department for Education’s rules for healthy school dinners and HC3S has worked with schools, pupils and parents for over 20 years, to create menus

that are varied and follow the guiding principles of healthy eating.

Menus also adhere to the Hyperactive Children’s Support Group’s recommendations to remove over 70 additives and colourings that could affect children’s behaviour.

In addition to the rising costs of ingredients, an increase to the ‘Living Wage’ is anticipated in the financial year 2017/18 which will have a significant impact on staffing costs.

Alresford Music Festival: Organisers plan its biggest year to date ...Page 12 Parents urged to learn baby CPR: St John Ambulance launches campaign. ...Page 12

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WINCHESTER TODAY FEBRUARY 2016

Welcome

Letter From The Editor

It really hasn’t been a good few weeks for the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Just recently he’s had to manage a report into the care of sick children through the 111 non-emergency system following the death in Cornwall of baby William Mead through sepsis. A report suggested that part of the contributing factors came down to inexperienced staffing and questions given to William’s mum over the 111 system. She told Sky News that she “trusted the NHS and 111 and they all failed.” William should have been in A and E, full stop.

I well remember the three times I have used the 111 system in Winchester. On one occasion I passed out as I was giving information over the phone. Not only was there an ambulance on my doorstep within three minutes, but the operator stayed on the phone until the ambulance arrived.

Maybe I got lucky.

Before that, Mr Hunt had

another crisis, this time the Junior Doctors’ walkout.

Just as this edition of Winchester Today was going to press came news that a planned 48-hour walkout by Junior Doctors in Winchester had been suspended. They had already staged a 24-hour walkout previously in January, though - which ultimately appears to had had little effect on operations or clinics having to be cancelled.

Winchester MP Steve Brine told Winchester Today that it was a “smart move” by the BMA trade union: “The previous strike was unnecessary, talking is always better than striking in my opinion. I think actually the employers and the union are not as far as apart as it is projected and, ultimately, we all want the same thing which is a safe NHS serving patients when they need it.”

However, this is a long-running dispute, with doctors already on 12-hour shifts Monday to Friday.

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

WinchesterToday est.2012

Editor-in-Chief: Kevin Gover kevin.gover@winchestertoday.co.uk

News & Features Correspondents: Annabel Radcliffe annabel.radcliffe@winchestertoday. co.uk David Cradduck Beccy Conway Jane Howard Photographer/Editorial Assistant Rachel Gover

kevin.gover@winchestertoday.co.uk

Both sides in this dispute will know the volatility could go on for months to come, whatever the outcome of these talks.

By the way, Junior Doctors’ pay starts at £22,636. Twentytwo grand for having your life in their hands. ***

go a long way by ensuring these kind of personal details are never passed on to third parties. *** I see yet another consultation is looming, this time over the market. “Unfair competition” is being bandied about over some of the traders outside in the High Street. I would really like to know which businesses seem to think they are under threat from those delicious lunchtime hot offerings that are cooked up on the spot. Wafts of jealousy...?

I changed my car insurance recently. I know that and I’m constantly reminded of it now because the phone doesn’t stop ringing. It’s mainly injury lawyers asking me “about the accident I had in the last five years.” Most stop talking when I ask them if they mean the one in which I was almost killed on the M3. *** One last week though insisted on continuing to ask whether Hope you like our online radio I had sought compensation. station. We LOVE it!

Unbelievable. David Cameron says he wants an end to these people. Our own Steve Brine once talked about eliminating Pictured: the protest outside nuisance phone calls. I suggest the Royal Hampshire County to both of them that they could Hospital in January.

Cartoonist: Piers Baker Logo and Web: Gavin Harris at Plastic Box www.plasticbox.co.uk gavin.harris@winchestertoday.co.uk Designers: Zak Thomas - Layout Editor Katie Chappell - Ad Design Assistant katie.chappell@winchestertoday. co.uk With special thanks to Johnny Blonde for the original layout

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 860746 Winchester Today, Suite 123 80 High Street Winchester SO23 9AT

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FEBRUARY 2016 WINCHESTER TODAY

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New Year, new ideas for Winchester’s thriving markets programme Businesses urged to contribute to survey over the coming weeks Evidence is being collected over the next few weeks to inform the next steps for the development of the busy programme of markets in the city. Winchester City Council says the markets have been a huge hit with visitors and with many regular shoppers since their introduction to the High Street in 2010.

Following discussions with the Business Improvement District (BID) to review the Christmas trading period, the Council is set to consider further ideas to develop the markets to ensure maximum benefits to shoppers and retailers alike.

The current programme of markets was introduced to add vitality to the High Street at a time when cities around the country were anxious about the effects of the recession. It brings fresh food and produce in the High Street on a Wednesday, general provisions from Thursday to Saturday and a series of speciality markets on Sunday which include the long-standing Hampshire Farmers’ Markets.

concerns expressed through the BID about the frequency and location of the markets. Congestion, unfair competition, intrusion on the street scene, restricted access, smells and rubbish on the streets have all been cited over the years.

Combined with the additional challenge of restricted parking capacity at Christmas, they claim, this means that regular customers delayed or cancelled shopping trips or visits to the hairdresser or dentist and loyal, high-value local shoppers went elsewhere.

The BID has consistently called for the markets to be reduced in number and removed from the High Street, and the Council is now carrying out an in-depth review of the markets ahead of a Cabinet decision in late March.

Economy and Communities Assistant Director Eloise Appleby says the markets were introduced to support our year-round retailing offer at the height of the recession.

Makes visiting “We believe that this very successful programme has protected footfall in the Winchester city centre in recent years, and enhanced Winchester’s reputation as a shopping more enjoyable destination.

“However, the original market plans Face-to-face research carried out in the were intended to be temporary, with the central shopping streets by Tourism South East at the end of 2011 found that “94% of Congestion, local residents and 95% of non-residents felt that the markets made the experience of unfair competition, visiting Winchester more enjoyable”. 85% of local people and 92% of visitors felt that “markets added to the vitality and vibrancy intrusion of the city centre”. Meanwhile 83% of local people stated that the “markets offered a greater variety of goods”. The markets development of Silver Hill offering new were considered to be an example of good opportunities. With the timetable for Silver practice by national consultants carrying Hill slipping, I believe that now is a good out a retail ‘health check’ of the city centre time to review the markets programme and in 2013. make some decisions about its future shape However, there have been continued and form.”

The Council is commissioning independent research from The Retail Group into the views of BID members about the markets.

This will also consider proposals for changes to the current location, and gather other suggestions for developments. It is part of a package of evidence - including the BID’s regular ‘Business Barometer’, parking statistics, footfall data and feedback from the Cathedral – on which decisions will be made.

Catherine Turness is Executive Director at the BID and says they are pleased to have helped bring this review about by voicing the feedback from their members: “Working with the Council, we have already seen a number of changes to the original line-up and presentation of stalls but the frequency and location can result in congestion, especially at Christmas, which deters some clients and customers from visiting the city.

It makes sense, five years on, to pause and take stock of the whole programme. I would urge all businesses in the town to respond to the survey when they are visited by The Retail Group in the coming weeks.”

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WINCHESTER TODAY FEBRUARY 2016

Free course offers support for blind people in Winchester A free course in Winchester will help local people who have lost their sight to regain their confidence and independence.

The ‘Finding your Feet’ course, run by charity Action for Blind People, is taking place at Level 10 Church, 86 Stanmore Lane, Winchester, Hampshire, SO22 4BT,

from 10am – 3.30pm on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 February.

The two-day course will provide information, advice and practical skills for anyone who has sight loss as well as their family and friends.

The sessions will provide people with sight loss advice on a range of essential

everyday skills such as how to get around outside, use public transport, cook healthy meals, shop and bank online and even how to make a cup of tea safely.

Lizzie Abnett, from Action for Blind People agrees that it can be frightening and overwhelming for someone newly

diagnosed with sight loss but practical and emotional support is available: “Being blind or partially sighted does not have to mean losing your confidence or independence. We hope anyone in Winchester living with or affected by sight loss will signup to the ‘Finding your Feet’ course, come and

share their experiences with others, and benefit from the wide range of information and advice on offer.”

For further information and to register for the course, call 01722 345440.

project:Alfie150 is giving young people aged 16-25 free training in all aspects of media - radio, print and online.

Register for a place now on our next course on news@winchestertoday.co.uk

Gardening February 2015 With The Veg Man. This month check over seeds and dispose of any out of date ones. Order new seeds, shallots and onion sets.

Do not tread on recently dug ground, as wet soil compacts and when dry becomes unworkable. Wait until conditions are right, tread down loose soil and break up the top few inches with a cultivating tool, to create a fine tilth. This aids seed germination and make hoeing to keep weeds down, easier. I like to rake off loose stones at this stage, as my ground is quite stony.

The canny gardener can do much to produce early crops. Peas, broad beans and some hardy salads can be sown in February.

I ensure an early start by

covering some ground with fleece, to warm up the soil.

I pregerminate my broad beans seeds, by soaking them for an hour or two and wrap them in damp kitchen paper. In a plastic bag, in a warm place, they shoot quickly. Check daily and plant out 9 inches apart, two inches deep.

Use hoops and peg the edges of fleece down to keep it from damaging young crops in windy weather.

Plant salad seeds in succession and in very short rows. I have three metre wide beds and plant North/South. For some fast growing crops like radishes, make three or four plantings per row, at three weeks intervals.

A start can be made this

month on sowing brassicas such as sprouts, early cabbage and cauliflowers.

Traditionally these are planted in seed beds, but are always targeted by slugs and snails. I prefer to plant seeds individually in segmented seed trays, using compost, raising them in warmth initially and growing on in a greenhouse. Harden off before planting out when the seedlings have formed several leaves. Cover to avoid pigeon damage.

Tomato, pepper and chilli seeds for growing on in the greenhouse can also be started, in warmth. Chit early potatoes, using egg boxes and ensure that the growing points get the light.

Plant out in March, using fleece. Earth up as growth

progresses to stop late frost damage.

Many gardeners make the mistake of planting the same seeds in the same places each year and ignore the need to rotate crops. Disease builds up and nutrients needed by specific plants can be used up. Never grow potatoes in the same ground because of blight. Brassicas will be attacked by cabbage root fly. Always rotate crops. I have divided my land into four plots and use a four year cycle to maximise yield.

Sprinkle a general fertiliser like Growmore thinly before

sowing seeds. With careful planning, more than one crop can be raised in each plot.

For example early potatoes can be followed by brassicas or leeks.

February can be cold, but in recent years the weather has been mild and often dry. Take advantage of opportunities, but be prepared for late frosts.

There is not space to mention all vegetables individually, so follow instructions on seed packets over sowing dates, but as we are in the South, taking a chance on the weather to sow earlier, can pay off.

Jobs for February: Sow chillies, peppers and tomatoes for raising under glass. Try some early salads, particularly mixed cutting ones. Sow a few peas and mange tout peas.

Chit early potatoes, placing in egg trays with the growing point uppermost.

Garlic can still be planted and at the end of the month, plant shallots and onion sets.

FEBRUARY 2016 WINCHESTER TODAY

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WINCHESTER TODAY FEBRUARY 2016

Review: 39 Steps – Chesil Theatre – January 2016 Dastardly goings-on at The Chesil!

guest house owner, an evil Professor, numerous spies, policemen and glamorous ladies (all ladies being played by the same person) – the story starts with the murder of one beautiful and mysterious lady in the London apartment of Hannay and the rest of the play is a rollicking romp across the UK as he goes on the run from the police and seen/unseen spies; he survives being shot at close range, falling from the Forth Bridge and numerous other unlikely antics, all slickly acted out by Alec Walters as the pencil moustached man of the moment. Playing the part dead straight, as

it should be of course, the laughs came thick and fast.

Mr Walters was born for this era and his timing – not to mention the double breasted tweed suit – was perfect. Newcomer to Chesil Theatre, Julia Mantell, played the three (remarkably similar looking) glamorous ladies of the adventure with just the right mixture of slapstick and deadpan aloofness when necessary. One gets the feeling Chesil audiences will be seeing her again.

The two remaining cast, Charlie Seligman and John Wakeman, played all the other characters and extremely funny they

were too, often poking fun at each other as they raced from one costume and character to another.

A wonderful spoof and huge fun ‘Costumes’ for these too, a little like their various accents, were deliberately token affairs and much fun was had in Keystone Cops-style chases across stage, flashing torches at the audience whilst doing

© Piers Baker. www.ollieandquentin.com

Chesil Theatre had a welldeserved sell-out with their latest production, 39 Steps, adapted from John Buchan and Alfred Hitchcock’s classic by Patrick Barlow and directed by Flavia Bateson.

Anyone old enough to remember listening to Dick Barton, Special Agent on the ‘wireless’ will be very familiar with the genre. Actually I’m not quite old enough, but the familiar theme tune, put to good use in this adaptation, is synonymous with the double-breasted, pencil-moustached, manof-mystery stories that belong to the era before TV, reality programmes and video nasties.

John Buchan’s original novels were actually set pre-WW1 and pre-date the home radio era by some three decades. They featured true Brit Richard Hannay getting involved in all sorts of shenanigans in remote corners of England and Scotland, on moors and in steam trains in heroic efforts to protect military state secrets from foreign agents. Hitchcock’s 1935 film took Mr Hannay into the era between wars with new characters and more film/ stage versions followed.

Eventually, Patrick Barlow re-wrote the whole things as a tongue in cheek comedy spoof and Ms Bateson has used a talented team and some impressive technology to enhance the story even further.

With only a cast of four – the hero Richard Hannay plus three others playing numerous other parts from a milkman to cross-dressing

double takes and circus falls galore.

David Woodward’s set was simple – in fact there it comprised plain flats painted a very neutral grey to soak up the many and effective different lighting plots played on them, a few real props like tables and period telephones, and some stage blocks used to form various seats, beds and lecterns. 30-odd impressively hand drawn sketches by Ian Fraser were projected onto the back wall and set each of the 33 scenes beautifully whilst period frenetic music (including ‘Devil’s Gallop’ borrowed from Dick Barton), numerous sound effects of bagpipes, steam trains, aircraft and audience participation, all on cue and using a great deal of technical wizardry, completed the picture.

All in all, a wonderful spoof and huge fun. If I had one small criticism it was that, despite it not being a long show, the pace of the play, including scene changes, could have been a bit faster.

In places it was a little too measured and needed speeding up to match the ‘Devil’s Gallop’. But Flavia Bateson proved her worth as a veteran director at Chesil once again and she and her team (special mention for sound and lighting man Tony Rogers) should be very proud of this technically tricky and challenging, chuckle-making romp.

For more information on Chesil Theatre shows, visit www.chesiltheatre.org.uk.

David Cradduck Image: Tony Rogers

FEBRUARY 2016 WINCHESTER TODAY

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Now open for entries!

The 5th annual

4-12 NOVEMBER 2016 Submission deadline: 1 October 2016 Early Bird deadline: 31 July 2016 For more information please visit: winchestershortfilmfestival.com Or follow: /WinchesterShortFilmFest @ WinchesterFilm @_wsff_ Image courtesy Rupert Cresswell, Dir. “Charlie Cloudhead”, 2015 WSFF entry

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WINCHESTER TODAY FEBRUARY 2016

A Focus on Winnall - Part 2 Winchester Today’s Simona Rata takes a stroll through Winnall’s own wildlife heaven In the heart of Winchester, just 5 minutes away from King Alfred’s Statue, lies a hidden oasis of peace and tranquility, Winnall Moors Nature Reserve.

Walking along The Road Of Memories - a boardwalk through a seemingly infinite sea of reed beds - it becomes hard to remember you are still in the bustling city centre.

The road is named after the carvings found on both sides of the walk which showcase memories collected from the The Over 50’s Lunch Club at Winnall Community Centre.

It features messages such as “No wonder you were late for work, said my son you’re always looking at the animals” and “I went down there with a dog. My dog came back with a chicken”

- sure to bring a smile to your face. The entrance to the road is marked by The Mosaic Stone. According to an introduction to the sculpture trail, the stone echoes the motifs on the grand entrance arch and suggests “that something is unusual about this place!”

Winnall Moors Nature Reserve dates back to medieval times, being shaped during the 17th and 18th century. Back then, it was used as floated water meadows and belonged to Hyde Abbey and a small chapel by the name of St Gertrude’s Chapel. Today, this area is managed as a nature reserve by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and it serves as a gateway to a wonderfully relaxing

evening for Winchester’s families, a nice morning run for joggers and a great place for spotting water voles and otters, the most common among the protected wildlife of the reserve. Having successfully purchased and extended the reserve in 2006, the Trust continues to enhance conditions for wildlife, preserve important historical features and engage with the local community.

And so, over the years, Winnall Moors Nature Reserve has truly turned into a community treasure, especially as 2013 saw the end of a big transformation for the reserve, a £1.3m restoration project funded by the Heritage Lottery which lasted no less than five years. As part of the project, artist Rob Turner and storytellers Orange Apples created ‘The Adventure of Winnal Moors’, a story that is accompanied by a sculpture trail. The story, which can be picked up at the entrance to the reserve with the promise of returning it before leaving, features characters such as Toad Emperor, the Otter and Samuel Slipper, a slug, and was created with the help of local schools and community groups. If you need even more evidence of the community feel of this local gem, walk along the Water Vole Trail neighbouring the North Walls Recreation Ground, and you may find loaves of bread left hanging on the low branches of trees

by Wintonians eager to share the joys of feeding

the ducks.

If you’d like to learn more about the reserve and the protected species that call Winnall Moors their home, be on the lookout for the many activities as well as courses available for young budding explorers and their parents. In fact, coming soon, on the 11th of February, is a session running from 9:30am to 11am, The Smartest Giant in Town. Nevertheless, whether you choose to take part in the activities the Wildlife Trust has on offer or not, you can always explore the reserve on your own, either by hiring a discovery pack from the City Mill and Tourist Information Centre for a returnable £10 deposit or by simply enjoying the peace, tranquility and fresh air the reserve is popular for. And if you do visit the Winnall Moors reserve, why not take photos on your walk and share them with the Trust on Facebook, HampshireandIsleofWight WildlifeTrust, or on Twitter @HantslWWildlife.

Pictures: Rachel Gover

FEBRUARY 2016 WINCHESTER TODAY

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WINCHESTER TODAY FEBRUARY 2016

EW S N E AT D

a month of sundays all tickets

by bob larbey

£10.00 see below for details

16-19 mar 2016

Wednesday 16th – Saturday 19th March 2016 7.30pm (doors open 7pm) at Cheriton Village Hall SO24 0PZ Tickets available online from www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheritonplayers or tel 0333 666 3366 (standard rates apply) all telephone enquiries are handled through TicketSource - this is not an exclusive number for Cheriton Players This amateur production of “A Month of Sundays” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH LIMITED

www.thecheritonplayers.org.uk

FEBRUARY 2016 WINCHESTER TODAY

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Alresford Music Festival 2016 to be ‘bigger and better’

£15k raised for charities through music event in Alresford Organisers of the 2016 Alresford Music Festival say this year’s event at Arlebury Park will be even bigger and better than before, with more space, more camping available and even more live music.

They say that support from an ever-growing audience has made a difference to many deserving charities, with more than 15k raised over the six years of the Festival. A record number of 3250 people came in 2015; testimony to the achievement of the musicians who have all performed for little or no fees so that as much as possible could be raised. There has been an impressive 30% growth over the last two years.

The Festival has helped clubs and organisations like the Alresford Youth Association, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Alresford Town Football Club, the Rugby Club and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Service. £2k was donated to the service at a fundraising event launching the release of the ‘Rescue Me Too’ CD. The musicians involved in

the blues project played at the Festival in 2015 and will be back for 2016.

The Festival has also sent money to both the Kusadevi and Mhendo water projects in the area of Nepal stricken by an earthquake in 2015.

The money and practical help was directly delivered

by Jon Vallis. He’s a water expert, adviser and band member of festival favourites ‘Southampton Ukelele Jam’.

Jon went out to Nepal with a small team to set up water

systems. The funds from the Festival bought water cubes and infrastructure that enabled villages to have running water.

The Festival is on Saturday 11 June 2016 at Arlebury Park, with camping

available on the Friday and Saturday. You can follow the Festival on their website, on Facebook and on Twitter for news and updates of what is being planned between now and June.

Images: Richard Turner

many business premises.

Emerging from both these roads into Easton Lane, is a major headache that has never been addressed.

“Elsewhere in the City, namely Bar End Road and at the junction of Chesil Street, Bridge Street and Magdalen Hill, mini roundabouts have been created and work well.

These were cheap because no road widening was needed, only a paint job.

“Surely the powers that be, if they cared, should have recognised that

putting mini roundabouts at the junctions of Easton Lane with Moorside Road and Winnall Manor Road, would also work wonders.

As I have said many times before, only those who daily have to experience the congestion, realise that something needs doing.

Most of our councillors live outside Winchester, the area does not concern the Chamber of Commerce and BID is only interested in the centre of the City. Where do we go from here?”

Winnall - What About the Traffic?

A headache, according to one businessman!

You may remember in our last issue we started to talk about Winnall and how this newspaper would be behind an opportunity to enhance the area. This came ahead of being asked to chair a special breakfast meeting on Winnall’s future.

Both the feature and the meeting seem to have rattled a few cages already.

They drew this response from prominent local businessman Keith Webb.

“For too many years, the powers that be have failed to recognise and deal with the causes of congestion in what is such an important part of Winchester, Winnall. Those who live in Winnall have votes and are represented by three councillors, but the businesses who employ hundreds of local people,

have no representation and very little opportunity to express their views on the subject.

“Recently one major bottle neck, the junction of Easton Lane, the A34, the A272 and junction 9 of the M3 was at last improved after years of being ignored.

Finally! Traffic lights and the creation of a third lane have made significant differences to traffic flow, but the requested creation of a slip road onto the A34, has not yet materialised.

This would not be expensive to build and until a major rebuild of the whole junction is undertaken, could significantly improve traffic flow from the roundabout serving Tesco, the Shell Garage and Homebase.

Recently Easton Lane has

had to cope with extra traffic from new businesses that have appeared, such as the Premier Inn, The Fire Station and now Wickes Builders Merchants. A (stupid in my mind) decision was taken to put in hatched lines outside the Fire Station; these even further limit traffic flow. The simple provision of traffic lights, triggered whenever an emergency situation arises, would have achieved the same end. It takes a few minutes to man a fire engine.

“The major problems that still exist, are the Easton Lane junctions with Winnall Manor Road, an important bus route and Moorside Road, which serves so

12

WINCHESTER TODAY FEBRUARY 2016

Winchester parents urged to learn baby CPR St John Ambulance launches new life saving campaign Parents across Winchester are being urged to attend infant first aid classes after new research showed only a third in the region would know what to do if their baby stopped breathing.

St John Ambulance says it will run three-hour, baby first aid courses in Winchester in February as part of its latest life saving campaign.

The first aid charity has also released a video, starring nursery rhyme characters, which demonstrates how to give Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to a baby that is unconscious and not breathing.

Research, commissioned

by St John Ambulance, found three out of four mums and dads in the South East said this first aid emergency scared them the most, when given a list of potential dangers that included febrile convulsions, severe allergic reactions and severe bleeding. While nearly two-thirds said they had

learnt first aid – most from a workplace course – only one in three knew how to treat babies.

CPR for babies is different from adult CPR, in that only two fingers should be used to give pumps to the baby’s chest and its nose and mouth must be covered by the rescuer’s mouth to give life saving puffs.

Last year, St John Ambulance ran an awardwinning campaign, The Chokeables, to teach parents how to save a child from choking, which led directly to The special courses run

by St John Ambulance will last three hours, cost £30 and cover key first aid emergencies for babies and toddlers, as well as how to give CPR. St John Ambulance also runs threehour Emergency First Aid All Ages courses throughout the year, which include baby first aid.

the saving of 46 children.

Sue Killen is CEO at St John Ambulance: “The Chokeables was a real step forward for us and the response was amazing.

“We’ve listened to parents and we know that they want to learn first aid skills in a way that’s easy and memorable.

That’s what inspired the creation of Nursery Rhymes Inc. “We know that a major The Hampshire courses run from 9.30am to 12.30pm at the following day at the Winchester local venue: 19 February – SJA Winchester in Worthy Lane. St John Ambulance also runs threehour Emergency First Aid All Ages courses at various Hampshire venues, which include baby first aid, throughout the year.

At 10pm, other radio stations want to send you to sleep...

barrier to parents learning is that baby CPR frightens them, so we’ve removed the fear factor and made it as reassuring as possible by making this new video and putting on a set of courses.

“As well as learning the technique themselves, we’re asking everyone to share the video so that all parents, grandparents and carers know what to do in those crucial minutes after a baby has stopped breathing.”

The baby CPR campaign is being backed by Hampshire mum, Natasha Jones. Her daughter, Ava–Mai, almost died when she was just 11 weeks old. She’d put Ava-Mai down for a nap.

When she went to check on her, she found she had stopped breathing and had turned blue. Guided only by instinct and TV portrayals of CPR, the mum managed to

successfully resuscitate AvaMai. After a frantic 36 minute wait for an ambulance, Natasha and husband Karl were told their daughter’s ordeal was ‘near-miss cot death’.

Ava-Mai is now a happy, healthy five-year-old, and to help prevent other parents or carers feeling helpless, the Hampshire mum has set up ‘Baby Resuscitation’, a community project that teaches baby first aid. Now, Natasha is encouraging others to save lives by sharing the new advert by St John Ambulance: “I’m supporting St John Ambulance’s new campaign because first aid is easy to learn and every parent should know what to do in that situation. I urge everyone to share the advert because a two minute clip could be the difference between a baby living or dying.

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Advertising Feature

Holiday Inn Winchester Exciting events planned for Spring 2016

The 4 star Holiday Inn at Winchester has built a reputation for presenting great entertainment and interesting events, combined with high quality food. The elegant contemporary hotel’s What’s On list of events, in the early part of 2016, starts off with a special Romantic Evening of Swing on Saturday, 13th February, with music and dancing to renowned swing singer Nigel Smith, featuring music from Buble to Sinatra.

This includes a delicious three course menu, created by the hotel’s talented head chef and costs £29.95 per person.

For diners who want to make it an even more relaxing evening, rooms are available from £99.

The hotel’s Morn Hill Brasserie, has recently been awarded 2 AA Rosettes and is the perfect place to enjoy and celebrate the highlights of the spring, including Mother’s Day Lunch on Sunday, 6th March, when Mums will be treated to a free lunch when ordered with three paying adults at £19.95 per head and £9.95 for children under 12.

Easter Sunday Lunch on Sunday, 27th March will be the next big event to celebrate and the delicious Sunday lunch is £19.95 per adult and £9.95 for children under 12. Easter Sunday lunch is also served in the Morn Hill Brasserie and children under 12 will receive an Easter egg.

Music and dining events Combining fine dining and music has been a very successful combination for the hotel, with sell-out events featuring high quality performers. On Friday 29th April the ‘Someone Like Adele’ Tribute Night is destined to be a popular event,

particularly following the success of the real Adele’s recent fastest selling album.

Ami performing as ‘Someone Like Adele’ offers a stunning performance with her incredible vocal range. Tickets, including a three course set meal, entertainment and disco cost £29.95 per person and guests can also enjoy a relaxing overnight stay in the hotel from £90 per room.

Weddings The hotel is also the perfect venue for weddings with a comprehensive selection of wedding packages from just £2016.

“We understand just how important everyone’s wedding day is,” commented Siobhan Thomasson, General

Manager. “As a predominantly female management team at the hotel we all love helping to organise the weddings and ensuring that every wedding is memorable for all the right reasons. The high quality of our food is maintained at every event we have in the hotel. Our wedding menus are interesting and imaginative and we get great feedback from our wedding parties.”

The contemporary venue also offers many picture perfect places to take all the important wedding photos, from the elegant, light, contemporary and very spacious reception area, with its staircase leading to a balcony, to the stylish outside courtyard terrace and romantic bridal suite. There are also 7

contemporary designed ceremony and reception rooms to choose from, with the hotel licensed for civil ceremonies.

The 141 room hotel can accommodate large wedding parties and guests, with special rates for wedding guests and ample easy car parking.

Delicious food The hotel’s food offering is extensive and as well as the new season 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 is also ideally located for business and corporate events with a range of meeting rooms. Business associates can also meet up informally in the hotel’s comfortable reception area or in the bar and the hotel’s award winning Morn Hill Brasserie presents the perfect place for a business breakfast or lunch meeting.

For more information visit: www.hiwinchester.co.uk

2016 Events at the Holiday Inn Winchester...

An Evening of Swing

Mother’s Day Lunch

Easter Sunday Lunch w Enjoy a family Easter Sunday lunch in the Morn Hill Brasserie.

w Nigel Smith takes you back to one of the coolest times in musical history with his swing show experience

w An Easter egg for every child under 12.

w Enjoy a delicious 3 course meal, especially created by our talented head chef, in the newly awarded 2 AA Rosette Morn Hill Brasserie.

w Sunday Lunch £19.95 per adult £9.95 per child under 12.

w £29.95 per person

w Ami performing as someone like Adele offers a stunning performance. If you are looking for something different with a touch of class and an incredible vocal, this is the show for you. w £29.95 per person to include a 3 course set meal, entertainment and disco. w Accommodation from £90.00 per room, with breakfast, subject to availability.

w Overnight accommodation from £99.00 per room.

Saturday 13th February

Someone like…

Adele Tribute Night

Sunday 6th March w Treat your mum to Sunday lunch in the award winning Morn Hill Brasserie.

Sunday 27th March

w Mums eat free with 3 paying adults. w Sunday lunch £19.95 per adult and children under 12 £9.95.

Friday 29th April

For more information please call 01962 670700 or email info@hiwinchester.co.uk WINCHESTER

AA Rosette Award

14

WINCHESTER TODAY FEBRUARY 2016

Friends of Naomi House drop by for special visit!

Children and young adults at Naomi House had a fantastic day when their friends from ‘Pony Pals’ dropped by for some cuddles.

Organisers say it was a “wonderful experience” for the children.

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16

WINCHESTER TODAY DECEMBER 2015

Sport Tesco PLC: “Give Winchester a Sporting Chance” Winchester Sport and Leisure Trust has written an open letter to the nonexecutive Chairman of Tesco - John Allan - and the Group Chief Executive - Dave Lewis - urging them both to pledge their support in keeping the Garrison Ground at Bar End. Alongside the letter is a petition, asking local residents to get involved too. This is what they had to say: Dear Sirs We write as concerned residents of Winchester in Hampshire, to ask for your support. As you may know, Tesco PLC owns land at Bar End, Winchester, which is on your asset disposal list.

This land was put forward for housing development

– presumably by Tesco PLC – via the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) for Winchester’s Local Plan.

Tesco PLC’s land at Bar End, known as The Garrison Ground, is a prime sport and recreational venue for our community. It is home to the Winchester City Flyers women’s and girls’ football club and the Winchester and District Girls Football League, as well as to Winchester Amateur Boxing Club. It supports grass training for the Winchester and District Athletics Club, and every year hosts events ranging from Cancer Research UK’s ‘Race for Life’ to the local Fun Fair. It’s also an important venue

for kickabout football, informal play, and dog walking.

The ongoing use of the Garrison Ground for sport and recreation is essential to our community. The City of Winchester has a shortfall in sports grounds of more than 11 hectares, and desperately needs new publicly accessible swimming pools, sports halls and synthetic turf pitches, to meet the requirements of a growing population and in particular increasing numbers of children and young people. Certain facilities – such as those for gymnastics – are completely absent from the local area. Bar End is the best place for any new facilities, but we will need

to retain as much open space as possible there too.

In short – we cannot afford to lose the Garrison Ground to housebuilding or to any other non-sports related development.

Please will Tesco PLC work with us, the residents of Winchester, to protect the Garrison Ground and to develop a community sport and recreational hub at Bar End? Your land could make all the difference to the future of our City and District.

Please give us, and our children, a sporting chance.

You can follow the organisation on Twitter @ WinchesterSALT which will provide you with all the links you need.

Top Flight Cycling Returns - and there’s plenty of room for the family too!

Entries are being welcomed for the 2016 Winchester Criterium races. Along with the CycleFest, the spectacular comes to the streets of Winchester on Sunday 5 June 2016.

Winchester’s City Centre will be closed for a day of all things cycling, with racing and a range of family activies. In 2016, for the first time, the Winchester Criterium, will also incorporate British Cycling’s Regional Circuit Race Championships, making it the biggest event of its kind in the region The CycleFest will take place in the Broadway area, by the Guildhall,

with opportunities to try out different bicycles and watch a spectacular stunt show.

The Broadway will also host the start of the popular Family Ride, where families have the opportunity to ride the same circuit that will host the racing later in the day.

More details available on www.winchestercriterium. org Race entries are being taken on British Cycling’s website: www. britishcycling.org.uk closing date: Sunday 15 May 2016