Winchester Today - June 2017

JUNE 2017 ISSUE 029

www.winchestertoday.co.uk

ART IN WINCHESTER ‘NOT A LUXURY’ New Hat Fair director calls for more support

By KEVIN GOVER, Editor WINCHESTER Today has always had a great fondness for the Hat Fair, which had its 2017 launch recently at the Theatre Royal. The first edition of Winchester Today almost five years ago was dominated by a huge picture which featured one of the Hatters juggling and having a good time. As the next one approaches, the people behind it have called for some different thinking to ensure it continues to riches our lives.

The Hat Fair’s new director, Andrew Loretto, told Winchester Today that art that’s accessible to all is part of a healthy society: “It’s just as important

as education and the health sector even though it’s not in competition with those two.

“But we need to be a society that’s healthy of mind and healthy of body - and one which thinks and debates and entertains - AND one which is challenged as well.

“Art needs to be a core part of society.

That’s why outdoor arts is especially important. It reaches an audience of all ages and backgrounds that you probably wouldn’t otherwise be able to reach because they’re not traditional artsgoers.”

Andrew is urging all of us to use Hat Fair this year to discover and re-discover

Saved by a cycle helmet page 3

contined on page 3 ➜

Dancing my way out of a rut page 6

Lords of Strut from Hat Fair 2016

Photo: Rachel Gover

Andrew Loretto addressing the launch at the Theatre Royal

Drink and Drug Driving ‘Simply Unacceptable’ Police plan further clampdown ONE of Hampshire’s roads officers says many people are still taking the risk to drink and drug drive - and that it is simply unacceptable.”

Superintendent Simon Dodds made the comments ahead of a joint anti-drink campaign with Thames Valley police.

He says it’s a fatal combination that

makes impaired drivers 23 times more likely to kill themselves or someone else in a collision : “Too many people are still taking the risk to drive whilst impaired, it’s simply not worth the devastation that is all too often left behind.

“We are dedicated to reducing it these people not only put themselves

at risk, but others who are often innocently going about their daily lives. Extra patrols will be out over the next month carrying out a number of proactive breath and drug tests.

“I’d like to encourage members of the public to work with us for a safer community by reporting anyone they suspect is drink or drug driving by

calling 101 with details about the car they are driving, registration and the location so that our officers can seek out those who commit these offences.

“If you are caught driving whilst impaired by drink or drugs you could face a criminal conviction, possible prison term, driving ban, and could even lose your job.”

New Mayor is welcomed page 8

news

2 winchestertoday.co.uk Jane Austen’s House Museum ambassador Lucy Worsley is pictured as the 200th Anniversary of Jane Austen leaving her home in Chawton was marked in May. She was effectively to depart on her final journey to Winchester where she died some weeks later.

Lucy marked this significant occasion by laying flowers from the garden at the site of the memorial plaque outside the front of the House. Having been introduced

by Museum Curator Mary Guyatt, Worsley paid an emotional tribute to Austen, speaking of her importance and reading the last letter she wrote from Chawton detailing her ill health and her plans to soon leave Chawton for Winchester.

The memorial plaque is a highly popular spot for visitor photos, and was originally unveiled on the

ABOUT US winchestertoday est 2012

n EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • Kevin Gover kevin@winchestertoday.co.uk n CONTRIBUTORS • David Cradduck • Rachel Gover • John Ellery • Adrian Scott • Beccy Conway • Gavin Harris • Dilyara Gover • Katie Chappell • Charlie Osman • Keri Jones • Freya Storey n LAYOUT DESIGN • Jon Heal Winchester Today Media Partner to Winchester Short Film Festival

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June 2017

centenary of Jane Austen’s death on 18th July 1917. With funding from the Jane Austen Society of North America, the plaque has recently been conserved by Plowden & Smith in time for the bicentenary commemorations.

Pavol Hudaçek of Plowden & Smith explained more about the work: “The memorial had been displayed outside since 1917 and was substantially weather damaged.

“Repatinating the corroded bronze plaque, regilding the worn lettering, rebuilding the missing section of the oak frame and repairing the copper roof has not only restored the appearance of the memorial for this 2017 bicentenary, but will also help ensure the memorial survives for the tercentenary in another 100 years.”

(Image: Jane Austen’s House Museum)

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR So much is being written about Jane Austen at the moment as we approach the 200th anniversary of her death here in Winchester, that it’s hard sometimes to keep up. Here at Winchester Today we have even been approached by a national newspaper to provide some comment, simply because we live here.

What can we make of someone who is obviously dear to us, yet who published in anonymity. Four of her ‘big six’ novels were published in her lifetime, which should surely have made her a multi-millionaire had she been around today - let alone the films.

Then there’s the ten pound note which will feature Jane. I’m personally delighted that the launch of the new tenner will be here in Winchester in July. Could you be forgiven in thinking that the honour surely should have gone to Bath? Jane only lived in Bath for five years, yet the city obviously had a profound effect on her writing, not least for two of her novels. Let’s face it, they make the most of that and even go as far as having a 10-day festival to add to the seemingly endless year-round dressing up.

Yet no. There’s no huge festival here in Winchester, and little song-and-dance. We love to go to Chawton for quiet reflection.

We visit her resting place in the Cathedral for quiet reflection.

Personally, I prefer the stance we take here in Winchester. The one of quiet reflection. Anonymous, almost. Just as Jane was in her own lifetime.

Kevin Gover

news

June 2017

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A CYCLE HELMET SAVED MY LIFE

Winchester Today has pledged to support Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance as its chosen charity for at least three years. Every now and then, we’re delighted to feature stories of how people young and old have welcomed the fact it’s there. On Thursday 3rd November 2016, Jane Godden received the telephone call that every parent dreads; her daughter Maisie had been involved in a serious road traffic incident. Here, Maisie and her mother tell their story

Maisie’s Story MY name is Maisie Godden-Hall. I’m 11 years old and I am in year 6 in St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Waterlooville.

I live with Mum and Dad and my older brother Morgan who is 17 and goes to Oaklands School, next door to mine.

I love everything active including; running, cross country, netball, gymnastics and horse riding. When the weather was good, I used to enjoy cycling to school and, when I wasn’t attending one of my many after school clubs, home to my grandparents at the end of the day.

The week of my accident, I celebrated my 11th birthday. It had been a busy week; I had a party on the Sunday, did trick or treating with my best friend on the Monday, celebrated my birthday on the Tuesday and went to a big firework display with my Mum on the Wednesday.

On the morning of my accident I got ready for school as usual, but I was running a bit late as I couldn’t remember where I’d put my cycle helmet. It was a strict rule that I wasn’t allowed to cycle without it, and by the time I did find it, it was later than usual. I was cycling my regular route, which involved using the crossings and cycling on the pavement.

There is a junction on my route where I generally move into the bus lane, as there is a wall that blocks the view for drivers.

I was travelling quite fast to make up some time, but I realised that a car at the junction was moving out and I needed to brake hard. I don’t remember much about the next few minutes, only what people have told me, as it all happened so fast.

As I braked, my bike stopped, but I didn’t. I flew over the handlebars of my bike and landed in front of the car. The driver didn’t see me and, spotting a gap in

As I braked, my bike stopped but I didn’t. the traffic, moved forward over me. Her son was sitting in the passenger seat and saw me fall so it didn’t take long for her to realise that something had happened.

Initially I was unconscious, but an extremely kind lady who had seen everything from her car immediately stopped and ran over to me. I was so scared and frightened and my leg was hurting but she stayed with me and held my hand. I had hit the road very hard on the side of my head and had injured my face and lost a lot of teeth but she constantly reassured me. I was trapped underneath the car and another member of the public jacked it up with the help of his son, as they were worried that it was resting on me.

I believe that at least three people called for an ambulance and the emergency services were soon on the scene. The ambulance paramedic immediately got under the car with me. The situation was assessed and the Air Ambulance was called, as the nature of my injuries meant that I needed to be transferred to the Major Trauma Centre at University Hospital Southampton as quickly as possible.

The Air Ambulance landed in a horse paddock opposite where the accident had happened. It was a really, really scary time.

➜ contined from page 1

spaces in Winchester - and says it’s all about the city and the places that we normally take for granted: “For me, it’s all about people, buildings, the spaces - even from the top of the car park.

Hat Fair is also about being cheeky and looking afresh at places, and in the ‘lookout’ part of the programme, that’s exactly what we want you to do… take time out during your day and stand there and pause, reflect, breathe and imagine.”

Highlight for 2017’s Hat Festival, Wired Aerial

I remember the Air Ambulance doctor coming under the car where I was trapped, talking to me and giving me something for the pain; he was really nice. Everyone was reassuring me that it would all be ok.

The car had to be lifted off me by the fire brigade and I was put to sleep whilst this happened.

I do remember parts of the journey in the Air Ambulance. It was very quick and I remember seeing lots of tubes. They talked to me constantly. I was transferred to the paediatric A&E department of University Hospital Southampton where a team of 30 doctors and nurses treated me before I was transferred up to a paediatric intensive care unit where I stayed for 4 days. I had sustained 3 breaks in my pelvis, a broken collar bone, major facial injuries and the loss of 7 teeth, 5 of which were adult.

I had to lie flat in bed for two weeks and then gradually my bed was tilted up.

During that time I had to be turned every 3 hrs to prevent sores and relieve pressure on my joints. I stayed in hospital until 28th November and by the time I left I was allowed to sit in a wheelchair for 1 hour, twice a day.

During my time in hospital the Air Ambulance doctor who treated me at the scene came to visit me unexpectedly.

He explained all he had done that day to treat me. He pieced together the bits of information that I had in my memory to complete my story, which really helped me and my Mum. A week later, he turned up with all the crew who had helped me on the day of my accident. I was lucky enough to meet the pilot and paramedic from the Air Ambulance and I was able to take some photos.

I progressed onto crutches just before Christmas and was walking around without crutches soon after. In January I

went back to school using my wheelchair and crutches so that I could try to get back to normal again, although I was still unable to do any sport. It’s been very tough and I’ve had a hard 5 months, but on 17th March I was finally told I that I could run again. I still have lots of work to do on my teeth and have a nasty burn on my shoulder but everything is fixable. I was told that, had I not been wearing my cycle helmet, I probably would have died.

I know I am only 11 years old, but I really want to use what happened to me to promote the cause for wearing cycle helmets; I think it should be law. It has been life changing for me and my family, but I survived because I was wearing a helmet. I want other people to understand that it could happen to anyone…. It happened to me.

I know that this has made her an even stronger person

I received a call on my mobile from the police at 9.37am on 3rd November, whilst I was at work. I was informed that my daughter had been in a serious road traffic accident and had been transferred

by Air Ambulance to University Hospital Southampton. It was a phone call that every parent hopes they will never receive. The police informed me that Maisie’s injuries were not lifethreatening but life-changing, and those words still haunt me now. My little girl wouldn’t be here now if she hadn’t been wearing her cycle helmet and yet we still see people everyday not wearing them!

There are not enough words to thank all the people who helped that day; from the general public to the emergency services and in particular the Air Ambulance.

Maisie’s accident touched many people’s lives, particularly her school friends and

teachers. Her head teacher was amazing, rushing to the scene of the accident and then driving to the hospital. He kept the school informed of Maisie’s progress in a caring and understanding way, always consulting us.

On a positive note, the accident has raised awareness for the incredible work of the Air Ambulance and the fact that it is a charity and reliant upon public donations.

Our community and Maisie’s school wanted to help somehow and together we have organised fundraising activities ranging from collecting at carol concerts to cake baking. The biggest fundraising event was organised by Maisie’s school.

Teachers and children from Reception to Year 6 took part in ‘A Mile for Maisie’ in order to raise money for the Air Ambulance.

As a parent, all you want to do is protect your children and keep them safe from harm, but you can’t be with them all the time and you have to let them have their independence too. Maisie has always been very strong and confident and throughout this ordeal she has been incredibly brave and positive. I know that this has made her an even stronger person. We are all so very proud of her.

Deryck Newland is Chief Executive of Live Theatre Winchester Trust, which is in charge of running the Theatre Royal, home of the Hat Fair, and the event itself.

He told me that he loves the Hat Fair both as a punter, and someone who’s overseeing it all: “I love it because the city is so condensed and so it feels very spiritual.

You can almost go from one zone to the next without pause, and for me that makes for a real celebration of the arts.

“You can walk down the High Street and go from music zone to entertainment

zone to moments that draw your breath and I just love all that variety within such a small geographical location.”

He says he’s not surprised at all that Winchester can still lay claim to the longest running street festival: “I think that tells you something about the Hat Fair and the value that the people of Winchester sees in it. It’s not just loved in Winchester, but around the country too.

People know the Hat Fair, and within the community it is actually held up as an example of best practice.”

Mum’s story

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June 2017

Chapel Renovation Wins Prestigious Award DESIGN Engine’s renovation and extension of the Chapel at the University of Winchester has won a RIBA South Award 2017. A RIBA Regional Award is given to a UK building for its regional importance as a piece of architecture.

In 2015 the University commissioned Design Engine Architects to oversee a complete restoration of the internal and external fabric of its Victorian Chapel to be one of the most visible expressions of the celebrations to commemorate the institution’s 175th anniversary. Originally built in 1880, and then extended in 1927, the Chapel is used for a number of different events and purposes: services, group meetings, concerts and as a place of quiet contemplation.

In addition, the University asked for an extension to the chapel, to include a small side chapel and a social and meeting space. The brief was to create a very special project, to sit as a small ‘jewel’ in the heart of the campus.

The interior of the original gothic revival chapel has been returned to its former glory with renovation work to the walls and timber ceiling alongside the introduction of new oak and stone floors, heating and architectural lighting. The University chose locally sourced Purbeck limestone, a material traditionally used for its decorative quality in churches and cathedrals across England, exploiting the natural characteristics of the embedded fossils within it.

The original tiled frieze and angels on the Eastern wall have been restored behind the reinstated chancel steps. A new contemporary altar has been introduced, made from seven horizontal sections of

The building is a jewel within the campus Purbeck stone. The seven sections make reference to number imagery within the Christian faith, as well as a celebration of the University’s anniversary; the stone sections also representing the seven 25 year time periods that make up the 175 years of the institution.

A new font has also been commissioned greeting visitors on entering from the South door. Designed to reflect light within the interior spaces, the font basin, made from highly polished stainless steel, is a section of a sphere,

a reference to “light of the world”. The basin is supported on a polished Purbeck limestone cylindrical plinth.

David Gausden is Director of Design Engine: “Despite being a small project, the Chapel refurbishment proved to be our most challenging project so far, where we learnt always to expect the unexpected.

“The University has been consistent in its contribution to the narrative behind the project and unbreakable in its support of the design team in delivering the intended final design.”

Richard Webster is Project Manager at the University of Winchester: “The Chapel project has served to preserve and enhance one of the University’s most historic buildings, and extend it in such a way as to demonstrate our continuing commitment to bold innovation and architectural excellence.

“The finished building is, quite literally, a jewel within the campus; a place for prayer and quiet contemplation, but also a place where one can be both moved and inspired.”

2 million up for Southampton Airport SOUTHAMPTON Airport has surpassed the 2 million passengers mark in a rolling year. Between May 2016 and April 2017 the airport welcomed 2,029,873 passengers, the highest number since commercial flights began nearly 100 years ago in 1918.

To put this figure into some kind of context, in 1994, Southampton Airport had just 450,000 passengers flying to around 15 destinations. Twentythree years later the passenger figures have more than quadrupled with 2 million passengers flying to around 40 destinations.

In 2016, the airport welcomed four new airlines including KLM with worldwide flights via its hub in Amsterdam, bmi regional which launched a new service to Munich and Aer Lingus which launched direct flights to Cork. It was also the first airport in the UK to offer scheduled flights with European based airline, Volotea, to Majorca and then Ibiza for 2017. Flybe alone announced five new routes from Southampton including Biarritz, Lyon, Toulon and Paris Charles De Gaulle.

These new routes and airlines continue

to contribute to the ongoing success of the airport and its growing passenger numbers.

Dave Lees is Managing Director at Southampton Airport, and says he’s thrilled to have achieved the milestone: “The airport has been working extremely hard to deliver the routes and services that our passengers demand.

“We’ve enjoyed tremendous success over the course of the past 12 months in strengthening our route network and this has translated into passenger growth. Reaching 2 million passengers is a real landmark and we’re determined to continue to build on this success to ensure Southampton Airport delivers for the city and the region.”

Notable dates • 1 910 The very first aircraft to take off from Southampton Airport was the Moonbeam 2 flown by Eric Rowland Moon • 1936 On March 5th the first flight of the Spitfire took place at Southampton Airport.

• 1939 The airport was recommissioned as HMS Raven and spent the majority of the war supporting the Royal Navy • 1945 The airport returned from a wartime aerodrome to a municipal airport and a regular air service to the Channel Islands returned • 1960’s Mr. J N Somer purchased Southampton Airport from the Southampton Corporation.

• 1988 A consortium headed

by Peter de Savary bought the airport from Mr. Somers and began applying for planning permission to completely redevelop the airport • 1990 BAA plc purchased the site and in 1993 detailed planning permission was granted and the construction of new facilities began • 1994 The new terminal was open for business and in 1995 the old terminal was demolished

•2 003 Flybe launched 14 new routes. The airport celebrated its 1 millionth passenger • 2012 The Olympic Flame visited Southampton Airport as part of the torch relay for the London Olympics • 2014 Southampton Airport becomes part of AGS Airports Ltd. AGS is an equal partnership between Ferrovial and Macquarie Infrastructure & Real Assets • 2015 VLM starts new route to Antwerp and Hamburg and Southampton Airport is top airport in the UK for customer service. The terminal celebrates its 21st birthday • 2016 Aer Lingus starts new route to Cork in March, KLM starts new service to Amsterdam and Volotea starts route to Palma in May 2016.

March 5th – 80th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire •S outhampton Airport announced as the European Regions Airline Association, Airport of the Year 2016 • 2017 Volotea commences new route to Ibiza, Eastern Airways to commence new summer route to Rodez, South France.

reviews

June 2017

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Morpurgo’s brilliant concept is a winner THREE years ago I had the privilege of reviewing Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse at The Mayflower Southampton - and it seems that I wasn’t the only one who was in awe of his work. Young actor, director and professional theatre entertainer Becky Mills, along with theatre and events producer Daniel Harris also saw War Horse and both were inspired to eventually bring Morpurgo’s lesser known Private Peaceful to the stage.

Private Peaceful, or at least this version of it, was adapted for the stage by Simon Reade, and is a one-man show; a story originally written for children (as was War Horse) it provides us with a moving and brutally honest window onto the futility of war – any war – but especially what we now know as trench warfare as epitomised by the horrors of World War One. Morpurgo wrote it after a visit to Ypres and being shocked by how many young men met a nasty end at the hands of their own countrymen.

The plot is a simple one – teenager Private Tommo Peaceful lives out his last night on earth before he is shot by firing squad for ‘cowardice in the face of the enemy’. He relives his short life and the journey that has led him to this ridiculous and pitiful conclusion: his early years at school with big brother Charlie and his first encounters with Molly, his childhood sweetheart; the growing up in warm Devonshire, and the guilt and hurt that he was somehow implicit in the tree felling accident that killed his father; the loves and hates of early teens; the realisation that Molly is to bear his brother’s child and therefore be Charlie’s wife, not Tommo’s.

How he ends up in Ypres in 1916 counting down the hours on his dead brother’s fob watch, summoning up chapter after chapter of his youth, his enlistment to join Charlie on the front line (by lying about his age) and the eventual rebellious act of

PRIVATE PEACEFUL performed by the Curious Pheasant Theatre at the University of Winchester

It provides us with a moving and brutally honest window onto the futility of war

refusing a suicidal mission to stay with his dying brother, is played out with the inevitability of the Titanic. You know how it will end but get drawn in nonetheless.

The staging for this debut production for Curious Pheasant Theatre is a moody performing arts studio, turned into a simple set comprising one old iron bed, a couple of chairs and loads of sandbags.

As the audience arrives to take their seats, Tommo is already lying on his bed, muttering to himself, picked out by one spotlight. There is a tangible atmosphere of smoke and tension before the play even starts.

Adam Lay as Tommo trained at the National Youth Theatre and is in his second year at Winchester studying for a BA in Musical Theatre. He is the lynch

pin to the whole one-act performance which plays for just over the hour. He is never off stage, is word perfect (and there are a lot of words) and plays the range of emotions with total confidence and professionalism. A lot of hard work has obviously gone into his characterisation of Tommo and the result is an awfully believable innocent young victim of a futile war.

Supporting actors William Jones and Becky Mills (who also directed) help tell the story in a series of well choreographed flashbacks. Although in reality a one hander, Private Peaceful needs these two real characters to provide human interaction.

With the support of other, recorded voices (for example school teacher, drill sergeant, the Brigadier who hands down

the death sentence), sound effects and some cleverly projected part-animated illustrations, the illusion is complete.

You are there, in the mud and hopelessness with Tommo during those last few hours when he and we wish that his dead brother’s fob watch will stop ticking and prevent the inevitable ending at dawn.

Being a stickler for detail and being that close to the action, I found the rather toy-like rifles and sandbags that were obviously filled with nothing heavier than paper slightly offputting; again being ultra critical some of the recorded voices were a little ‘boomy’, and the gun- and shellfire occasionally stopped dead rather than fading out.

I would have liked to see more contrast between the present and the flashback scenes, perhaps in the form of different style of lighting, and the smoke machine was at times a little too effective!

But these small points are insignificant when the play is taken as a whole. The cast and crew worked well as a tight team to provide a professional and extremely moving piece of theatre that director Becky Mills says Curious Pheasant Theatre would like to do more of in the future.

Morpurgo’s brilliant concept and ability to open our eyes and hearts to such important events is a winner, making Private Peaceful every bit as powerful as War Horse in that regard.

Curious Pheasant should be very proud of their achievement and I look forward to seeing more of their work in the future. It is theatre with a difference and hugely entertaining – although my parting shot (no pun intended) would be that the addition of a printed programme might help future audiences understand and appreciate the background to the production they are seeing.

Great stuff, Curious Pheasant Theatre – I wish you well.

David Cradduck

Sheridan Smith’s cheeky, endearing... and Funny Girl FOLLOWING a highly acclaimed 50th anniversary revival of Funny Girl at the Savoy in the West End, Olivieraward-winner Sheridan Smith returns to star as Fanny Brice for much of the UK tour. Brice’s character was last played in London by musical theatre icon Barbra Streisand, but watching Smith on stage, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking the role had been devised for her.

Fanny Brice rose to fame after debuting at an amateur night in Brooklyn at the age of 15. In 1910, she was picked up by Florenz Zeigfeld, impresario and Broadway legend of the day.

Brice went on to star in Zeigfelds’s Follies – vaudeville shows famous for their chorus girls, singers and comedians – eventually becoming the highest paid actress on Broadway. Her life was immortalised in the 1968 film starring Barbra Streisand, from which the stage show was later adapted.

Smith’s portrayal of Brice’s determination to succeed is perhaps what has enraptured audiences the most; she is the underdog and she knows it, but it is Brice’s unwavering belief in her talent that sees her first take the stage, despite having being fired the previous day.

However, her character goes deeper than that. In her own self-worth, Brice is much less confident, and I think it is this side of her that people have truly connected with. When Smith’s Brice first meets Nick Arnstein, played by Darius

FUNNY GIRL The Mayflower, Southampton 23 May 2017

Campbell of Noughties pop fame, she cannot comprehend why an influential, sophisticated man could be interested in her.

With her hilarious facial expressions and knack for physical comedy, Smith’s cheeky, endearing performance causes the entire audience to root for her.

We’re desperate for her to achieve her happy ending, but there’s a sense of foreboding as the curtain comes down on the first Act. Needless to say, life goes not always run smoothly for Fanny. Exploring issues of pride, the dissolving of gender roles, and life in the public eye, Funny Girl is a triumph of musical theatre.

Supported by a splendid orchestra and cast of dancers, as well as actresses Rachel Izen, Zoë Ann Bown and Myra Sands as Fanny’s mother and neighbours, Funny Girl introduces us to life in New York’s Jewish community. Nigel Barber is convincing as the commanding Florenz Zeigfeld, and Joshua Lay as Fanny’s doting friend and dance director is a welcome contrast to Campbell’s suave Nick Arnstein.

But, really, this is Smith’s show, her performance earning the longest fullauditorium standing ovation I’ve seen in a long time.

Beccy Conway

You wouldn’t be blamed for thinking the role had been devised for her

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June 2017

Squirt and Squidge Out of your comfort zone

Freya Storey continues her look at life as a mum-of-two IT’S easy to get stuck in a rut, and it dawned on me recently that I had in fact come a cropper.

With my current maternity leave coming to quite a swift end, I found myself staring into a pile of dirty laundry letting out a heavy sigh.

This time I was sure I had beaten the laundry basket to submission but NO the fresh arrival of my husband’s sweaty footy kit along with our toddlers ‘nature nursery’ backpack full of goodies meant that yet again I was prey to the rise of the laundry mountain.

The next load was put on while the dishwasher was unloaded and the towels were put in to tumble dry… and then I stopped, looked around and for a moment wanted to run. This was mundane, I could spend all day every day doing this, doing chores but surely this isn’t life and how things end up just because I’m a mum and have responsibilities.

My mother’s words from my childhood echoed in my ears: “This isn’t a hotel” - and I all of a sudden I knew just how she felt.

So I made some changes. I decided it was time to venture out of my comfort zone, shake things up a little, get some

I wanted to see if I could rekindle that spark I felt when I used to dance

excitement back. Throughout my childhood I was heavily into musical theatre with dance being my particular passion. One of my friends had mentioned to me about an adult ballet class to which previously I had thought internally ‘how lovely’ but wrote it off ‘as I was way too busy doing other really important mum jobs.’

This however, was of course not

entirely true, what I was finding myself doing was making excuses, I don’t know why, maybe a part of myself had got lost - no, ‘hidden’ within the role of ‘mum’.

I figured it was time to dust off the ballet shoes and see if I could rekindle that spark I felt when I used to dance. I went along to my first class and honestly ... felt like a bit of a prat.

I took my place at the barre and was

faced with wall to wall mirrors. My reflection glared back at me and I had a moment of “what am I doing?!” I am not 12 years old taking my RAD grade - I am a 35 year old woman who looks like a bit of a ‘has been’ dancer.

But then the music started... the beautiful calming ballet music that I used to so enjoy, and all of a sudden I was no longer outside looking in, I was part of that moment, I was enjoying the music... and the dancing came and it felt good and I began to smile. Something special had begun!

I have been going ever since; it is one of the things I look forward to most each week. It reminds me of being young, it makes me forget everything else, it keeps me alert and using my brain and it gets me out of doing the dishes.

It feels great to be challenging myself again, rekindling a passion that had been buried deep inside. I feel so thankful now I didn’t lose it altogether... that the friend at playgroup helped me make those first steps back.

I’ve heard they’re starting singing lessons! Who knows, maybe the stage may beckon again… but for now I’ll keep on dancing!

Motoring

First China-built Volvo S90 saloons arrive in Europe via ground-breaking rail link

VOLVO Cars has become the first car maker in the world to export China-made cars to Europe by train via China’s new ‘One Belt, One Road’ trade initiative. The cars have been transported to Zeebrugge in Belgium via the recently opened China-Europe railway link.

The connection brings down the time it takes to transport vehicles to Europe by two thirds compared with the naval route, meaning customers receive their car faster after ordering.

The train route ties Volvo’s global manufacturing and logistics strategy to the multi-billion euro trade flows between China and Europe and the socalled One Belt, One Road initiative that seeks to resurrect the age-old Silk Road trade route.

Beyond shorter waiting times for customers, rail is also a smarter choice

in terms of the environmental impact of logistics operations. Given the same distance, the CO2 emissions per tonne/ km are reduced by a third by choosing rail over sea transport. In this case, the savings will be even higher based on the shorter distance.

Each of the Volvo-dedicated trains travelling between Daqing and Zeebrugge carry around 225 Volvo cars, which are transported in specially designed containers. One container holds three cars at different angles in order to maximise the use of space available inside. Special fixtures ensure that the cars are fastened during transport and do not move.

Initially, trains will depart from Daqing once a week. The plan is to increase this frequency in line with growing volumes.

New Mini Clubman for the UK market MINI UK has recently launched the new MINI Cooper Black Pack Clubman and the new MINI Cooper D Black Pack Clubman.

Designed exclusively for the UK, the first MINI Clubman edition offers

17-inch Black Net spoke wheels combined with Black bonnet stripes for a sleek and sporty finish to further enhance the characteristic MINI Clubman styling.

Inside, the design cues continue with a Piano Black interior and multi-function steering wheel. The MINI Black Pack badge which is featured on the rear doors of the vehicle highlights the exclusivity of the new MINI Black Pack Clubman models.

In keeping with the entire MINI Clubman model range, the MINI Black Pack Clubman models also offer Navigation, Bluetooth and Cruise Control.

• Pricing starts at £21,430 for MINI Cooper Black Pack Clubman (£289 per month, with an initial rental of £289*) and £23,735 for MINI Cooper D Black Pack Clubman. * Initial rental £289. Price shown is for a 48-month Personal Contract Hire agreement for a MINI Cooper Black Pack Clubman, with a contract mileage of 40,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 5.65p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered by 30/06/2017 and registered by 30/09/2017.

A special outdoor village-wide event in aid of

Another

It’s the 1950s and the war is over but in Cheriton a murder has shaken its people to the core. It seems everyone has a secret…

The village and police need your help to solve the mystery.

We will feed you, entertain you and reward you (especially if you dress the part).

Saturday 17th June 2017, 2pm at Cheriton Village Hall SO24 0PZ ‘til late-ish at Cheriton School hall

There will be tea and cakes served in the village hall throughout the afternoon, a sumptuous barbecue supper in the evening with 50s live music and disco, plus prizes for the best period dress and best detective(s). You can solve the crime as individuals, but it’s much more fun in teams!

Tickets are £15 for individuals or £40 for a family of four (parents and kids). 12s and under go free. Murder packs (to share) £5 each – available from 2pm on the day.

Tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheritonplayers or call 0333 666 3366 (standard rates apply, telephone enquiries are handled through Ticketsource).

www.thecheritonplayers.org.uk

the final word

8 winchestertoday.co.uk

JUne 2017

City united with Manchester THE shock of the bombing in Manchester reverberated around the country, especially when it became clear that so many young people had lost their lives while out watching a pop concert. Hampshire’s Chief Constable, Olivia Pinkney, gave this message: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the events in Manchester with the families, friends and loved ones of all those killed and injured.

“We have reviewed, and will continue to review, our security plans and capability, including around all pre-planned events taking place in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in the coming weeks. It is normal procedure for us to work with event organisers in the run up to all large scale events to ensure they can run these safely and securely.

“We will also continue to link in with our colleagues at Greater Manchester Police, the National Police Chiefs Council and the South East Counter Terrorism Unit.

“I urge the community to remain alert but not alarmed. Together with our partners, we are doing everything we can to help protect the public, the security of our communities, public places and businesses. Specialist teams, well-rehearsed at dealing with major incidents, continue to provide a strong visible presence across the UK.”

Pictured: The Mayor of Winchester, David McLean, signing the book of condolence here in the city. Standing left to right Corporate Director Joseph Holmes, Diane McLean (the Mayor’s wife), Council Leader Caroline Horrill and Corporate Director Steve Tilbury. (With thanks to Winchester City Council for the image.)

Welcome!

IN this very space this time last month, we looked back at the wonderful year experienced by Jane Rutter as the 817th Mayor of Winchester. We thought it only fair that we should give a proper welcome to the 818th to don the robes and chain. And so it was that on Wednesday 17 May 2017 that the 818th Mayor Making of the City of Winchester took place in the Guildhall.

The formal procedure saw the keys of the City and the Mayor’s badge, as well as other Mayoral items, pass from the retiring Mayor, Cllr Jane Rutter, to the current Mayor Cllr David McLean.

After the formalities, guests enjoyed a reception in the King Charles Hall.

The Mayor told Winchester Today about his hopes for this year - and paid tribute to his predecessor: “I would like to express my thanks to Cllr Jane Rutter for allowing me a year on the job

training, carrying out duties to support the Mayor during her year.

“To be the 818th Mayor of Winchester is very special. I will do all in my power to bring honour to Winchester, our great City and District.

“My theme for the year is youth achievement and I aim to showcase the skills, talents and hard work of the youth of our district. Diane and I hope to meet as many young achievers as possible throughout our year.

“I have chosen to support 3 charities this year. The Multiple Sclerosis Society - a charity very close to my heart; Canine Partners, who train assistance dogs for the disabled and The Bishops Waltham North Pond Conservation Group, a heritage project in my home town.

“Diane and I look forward to the coming year and to serving the residents of this great District.”

The keys of the City and the Mayor’s badge, as well as other Mayoral items, pass from the retiring Mayor, Cllr Jane Rutter, to the current Mayor Cllr David McLean