Winchester Today - October 2018

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Xxxxxxx 2018

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OCTOBER 2018 ISSUE 044

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MP URGES SUPPORT FOR RHCH STAFF Steve Brine’s comments follow Care Quality Report

New Smartcard rail deal

By KEVIN GOVER News Editor ENGLAND’S Chief Inspector of Hospitals has called for improvements at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission. The Commission inspected three of the Trust’s services in June and July 2018 - medicine, surgery and the emergency departments. The inspector’s report gives the Trust an overall rating of Requires Improvement with a rating of Good for Care.

The report highlighted a number of areas of excellent practice including the Trust’s dementia services and the world class cancer services for pseudomyxoma.

The Trust retains the rating of Outstanding for end of life care from the previous inspection.

The inspectors commented on the caring and compassionate staff saying “Staff cared for patients with compassion and kindness and feedback from patients

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We must not sensationalise the findings

3 - 10 November 2018

Winchester’s window into the world zeitgeist

about staff was consistently positive.”

Alex Whitfield is chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: I am glad that the inspectors recognised the dedication and compassion of our staff. I see this around our hospitals every day. However, it is disappointing that there are a number of areas where our services are not consistently at the standard we would want for our patients. We take the safety

A week of feature film premieres and award-winning short films selected from over 50 countries at venues across the city of Winchester Box Office: winchesterfilmfestival.com Concessions and 6-day passes available

Film festival returns

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IT’S A FINE LIFE! Winchester MP Steve Brine visited the RHCH in Winchester last week to meet with Alex Whitfield, and also paid a visit to the hospital pharmacy team

Abbey Warren (Nancy), Alfie Stoker (Oliver), Jacob Love (Fagin), Zeth Franco (Artful Dodger) and Freddie Scott (Bill Sikes) from Kings’ School in Winchester take time out from scrapping with each other as they prepare to take to the stage in Oliver!

More pictures and exclusive interviews on our website winchestertoday.co.uk

Blue Peter celebrates 60th page 16

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ABOUT US

winchestertoday est 2012

n EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • Kevin Gover kevin@winchestertoday.co.uk n CONTRIBUTORS • David Cradduck • Drew White • Gavin Harris • Rachel Gover • Helena Gomm • John Ellery • Chrissie Pollard • Freya Storey • Eleanor Marsden • Dilyara Gover n LAYOUT DESIGN • Jon Heal

Winchester Today Media Partner to Winchester Short Film Festival and Bishop’s Waltham Festival

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October 2018

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Another report - another pile of criticism. This time from the Care Quality Commission about our NHS in Hampshire, particularly Accident and Emergency (see page 1). If you work in such a large institution as the NHS (as I have, so don’t have a go at me saying I don’t know what I’m on about) - it’s pretty rich to hear from people - who’re supposedly better than you - wear you down on a constant basis about things that you largely cannot do anything about. I know that I would not put up with it here at WT at all.

When I had visitations at any company, it seemed to me that if they come to inspect you on a good day, it seems that they will always try to find something. If they get you on a bad day, well...

I’ve had to go to A and E on a number of valid occasions - a kidney stone that suddenly got stuck - a car accident… and I’m forever grateful to the Basingstoke staff who did a superb job in sewing up my little finger leaving the tiniest of scars . Even when a family member managed to close down an entire ward after the staff discovered she had raging flu, there was nothing but kindness and compassion.

Perhaps these know-it-alls would do better to try to resolve once and for all why there’s been a 25% increase in people visiting A and E. Better they start with the number

of people who go because they can’t be bothered to wait to see their GP.

***** I’m annoyed. Really, really, really annoyed and upset. With myself.

So much so, that I’m on the naughty step. What on earth brought this on? Well, here at Winchester Today Towers recently we were desperate for a camera for an important shoot. I usually have no problems using an iPhone - indeed, many people send us pics that have been taken on an iPhone and I bet you can’t tell the difference. But focusing and low light were going to be an issue. It didn’t have to be anything ‘flash’ (pardon the pun) - maybe a very good second-hand camera of known make that I could get for a bargain.

It was then that I began to get angry with myself. Why? Because I naturally started to load up eBay. Wait - surely there must be somewhere in town that sells cameras? As Graham Norton would say: “What was I thinking?”

A 20 minute walk later, visits to at least four shops that might be able to help, and I had a ‘previously loved’ bargain in my hands which performed fantastically at said shoot. What’s more, I got personal assistance, a friendly welcome - and honesty that a modern cable to link up to a computer was not available in the shop, because they were specially made for this type of camera. “Best to find that kind

of thing online” was the reply, and he was right. Amazon did manage at least £3.97 then - but that was all. It was one of the best shopping experiences I have ever had in Winchester. Oh, and I got a £10 freebie when something was thrown in just for luck.

***** It doesn’t stop there, as I had exactly the same experience with a laptop. This, again, was getting a little essential to make an important video. Again, it didn’t have to be flash. I could have probably done an ‘okay’ job using iMovie on my iPhone. After all, I did exactly that four years ago and came down to the last three in a film festival.

Off I went to a fairly decent store, and looked at what I thought was a pretty good bargain. Along came the assistant, and I said: “that one please…” - at which point he asked what I wanted it for. “Here we go again”, I thought - he’s going to try to sell me something that was three times the cost.

Instead, he looked down at the labels on the computer showing RAM, processor and capacity and just said: “It won’t work for the kind of thing that you want it to do.” And he said the same to at least three or fours others on display. “It would be far better if you look online.” He gave me all the minimum requirements: “You need ALL of these, not some of them.”

At one point, I couldn’t believe

my ears… was this person actually saying to me: “No don’t buy anything here in my shop. I don’t want your money.” Er, yes - he was. He knew I could get a better deal elsewhere with a machine that would actually do what I wanted - even if it was old and had had been refurbished - and he was being totally honest - and that’s exactly what I ended up with.

One of the best (short) shopping trips I have ever experienced in Winchester!

***** I don’t know if you remember a couple of weeks ago we had a couple of storms blow through that almost took the roof off. After one of them - Ali - had finished, I decided on a walk down to town as it was so humid, I could hardly breathe.

You would have thought perhaps that on a rainy Tuesday evening there wouldn’t be much happening in Winchester… not a bit of it! The Baptist Church was full… over to my right through the window there was an evening class going on at the Discovery Centre. The candles at Brasserie Blanc burned brightly… Overdraft, Greens and the Royal Oak were also all full, with happy smiling faces.

Finally, I could just make out roll-call at the school as I walked through the Cathedral Close. The bells were ringing too. Honestly, one of the best walks and an hour well-spent last month.

Kevin Gover

A timely drama for Remembrance Day COMMEMORATING the end of World War One, Scamp Theatre’s award-winning production of Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful heads to Theatre Royal Winchester from Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 November.

This production is full of vivid detail and dramatic narrative, superbly brought to life by Andy Daniel.

Private Peaceful relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn. Andy Daniel is starring in the play: “Private Peaceful is an adaptation of the novel

by Michael Morpurgo. It is told from the perspective of Tommo Peaceful, an underage British soldier, as he waits to face the firing squad at dawn.

“Tommo is desperate not to waste the time he has left to him and relives his whole life with the audience, remembering his childhood in Devon with his best friend and brother Charlie and the love of his life Molly and of course going off to war.”

He explains what draws him back to this character: “Well first of all the play is such a wonderfully constructed piece of theatre and it really does affect people a great deal. So, it really is an honour to be asked to do it again! Tommo is just such a kind and fun character to play and you really do get to create a warm, strong bond with the audience throughout the show, which is really special.”

This play runs in conjunction with

The plight of young boys like Tommo should not be forgotten the commemoration of World War One, why do you believe it’s important to keep stories like Private Peaceful alive? “Well it is of course important to remember and honour those who fought in WW1 and to keep their memories alive.

“It was such a brutal and destructive conflict and we shouldn’t forget that we are fortunate to have avoided a conflict on a similar scale for the last 70 odd years.

“However, what makes Private Peaceful particularly important is that it highlights a part of the war that until very recently was forgotten or ignored; the execution of soldiers for cowardice.

We shot 306 of our own soldiers in WW1, some of whom were clearly suffering from shell shock/PTSD, and the plight of young boys like Tommo should not be forgotten.”

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October 2018 ➜ contined from page 1

of our patients and their care very seriously and we have already made changes responding to the conditions highlighted by the inspectors and have further improvements planned. We will continue to work tirelessly to put patient care and safety at the heart of everything we do.

“We have already changed the emergency department layout so that patients waiting are more visible to clinical teams, and can be more easily

We know that we have to do even better

HAMPSHIRE HARVEST WEEKEND 2018

H A MPSH IRE H ARV EST W E E K E N D AT W I N CHEST E R C AT HE D RAL S AT U R DAY 6 OCTO BE R - S U N DAY 7 O CTOB ER 1 0 .00A M - 5 .00 P M Join us for live music, children’s activities, vintage tractors, falconry displays, farm animals, horse-drawn wagon rides, Hampshire Fare market, local beers and ciders and, new for this year, a vintage food van offering delicious hot food, wonderful cakes, scones, tea and even a glass of fizz.

www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

winchestertoday.co.uk 3 observed. We have also increased the frequency of checks on patients so that we can pick up more quickly when they are becoming poorly. In Andover, we have moved to separate surgical lists for men and women so they are not in the same space at the same time, to ensure that we are doing all we can to protect patient dignity.

“We recognise we have problems with our ageing buildings and this has been thrown most sharply into focus in our emergency departments where we have seen a 25% increase in attendances in recent

years. We are delighted to have secured £4 million in capital funding from the government to help further improve the layout of our emergency departments and acute assessment units and increase their capacity. We know we are looking after more elderly frail people who are sicker and hence need to be admitted and this has had an impact across the whole Trust.

“We absolutely strive to do our best for each and every one of our patients, but we know that we need to do even better.

Our focus has always been on providing outstanding care, and that is true now more than ever.”

Winchester’s MP Steve Brine met with HHFT Chief Executive, Alex Whitfield last week: “This CQC report is worrying but I don’t think it comes as a huge surprise because of the pressures our emergency department has been under and the ageing building it inhabits.

“What we must not do in response is sensationalise the findings or join the dots in a way that draws the wrong conclusions - because many dedicated and caring people work at the RHCH and they deserve the space and the support to turn things around.”

“Many of my constituents attending A and E - and indeed myself as a patient with my son recently - report a positive experience at our hospital and certainly the NHS’ version of ‘Tripadvisor’ backs that up.

“I have already met with the Chief Executive to hear the work they’ve done since the inspection back in June and how they plan to use the £4.06m the Department of Health has this month given the Trust for capital investment.”

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October 2018

CASS ART IN CAMPUS FIRST FOR WINCHESTER Company continues mission to ‘fill this town with artists’ THE UK’s leading independent art supplies retailer, Cass Art says it’s delighted to have opened its new concept store, Cass Art Campus at the Winchester School of Art. It’s the first Cass Art store to be located on a university campus since CEO and Founder Mark Cass opened his first shop in London in 1984. With a company mission statement ‘Let’s Fill This Town With Artists’, Mark says that supporting the creative community with top quality art materials, at affordable prices, has always been at the heart of everything they do: “This is our 13th shop to open in the UK and an exciting new concept for us. Students are the lifeblood of Cass Art – after all, they are the artists of the future.

“We know that while studying a creative course is a journey of experimentation and personal development, it also comes with the challenge of tight budgets. By providing students with affordable art supplies, we aim to support them as best we can on this exciting journey.”

Kay May is Director of External Affairs at Winchester School of Art: “I am absolutely delighted that Cass Art has joined us at our beautiful campus in Winchester.

“The presence of a nationallyrenowned arts organisation will considerably enhance the experience of our 1600 students and the professional practitioners who form our staff.

Students are the lifeblood of Cass Art “As a creative hub, the city of Winchester will undoubtedly welcome Cass Art - and as supporters of the arts in many ways, Cass Art will be a valuable addition to our team and we look forward to working with them on opportunities for our students.”

Mark says they’re also pleased to open the Cass Art Campus to the wider

Knowledgeable staff: Heather Mills, Katie Bell, Yna Provido and Dorothy Kwan Yip (above)

creative community, as well as students: “With artist studios The Colour Factory and Yard Studios less than a mile away, and the nationally renowned John Hansard Gallery in Southampton, this is a fantastic opportunity to connect with the area’s thriving art scene.”

Jack Lewis is Communications Coordinator at The John Hansard Gallery: “We are delighted that Cass Art is open at the Winchester School of Art and look forward to working together to create opportunities for artists and students, connecting the cities of Southampton and Winchester.”

Cass Art is committed to bringing its customers the world’s best art materials at the best possible prices.

The Winchester store will stock brands such as Winsor & Newton, Faber-Castell and Daler Rowney, plus the expanding range of Cass Art products, which now includes artists’ quality paint and canvas.

The store also opens the Winchester School of Art students and the local community up to the entire Cass Art range of products available online via its convenient Click and Collect service.

What’s more, Cass Art has a commitment to supporting artists at any stage of their career. The Cobalt Blue Card for students offers 10% discount off everything, and the Viridian Artist Educator Card offers 10% discount to art teachers and art therapists, with 5% of sales contributing to an art education charity. Their Reward Card is tailored to any artist, offering customers a £10 Reward for every £100 they spend at Cass Art, as well as exclusive offers, competitions and events.

Cass Art Campus will be open 52 weeks of the year – not just during term time. The staff artists look forward to welcoming students and locals alike to the store and offering friendly guidance on art materials and answering any questions that come their way.

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October 2018

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HOME FROM HOME

£30m student accommodation welcomes first guests WINCHESTER Today Towers is just around the corner from Cathedral Point - and so over the past year we’ve witnessed the cranes, the building work and the transformation into the splendid buildings that now stand on the former depot site on Andover Road.

Most recently we’ve witnessed the proud parents come along with their sons and daughters and ‘check in’ ahead of the new uni semester.

The scheme is a new £30m luxury student accommodation development incorporating 257 en-suite rooms with shared kitchens and self-contained studios adjacent to Winchester station.

Cathedral Point is a collaboration between Osborne and Amro Vantage, two companies who previously delivered the 239 unit Riverside Way scheme adjacent to the River Itchen in Winchester. It was designed by Architecture PLB with state of the art facilities including 100MB high speed Wi-Fi and a communal and leisure area incorporating student co-working spaces. Organisers say the development will provide further much needed student accommodation within the city, thereby freeing up existing houses in multiple occupation and providing more homes for local people.

Steve Brine assisted in enabling a multi agency approach across many public and private bodies to bring the scheme

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to fruition, including the City Council, Hampshire County Council, Network Rail and South Western which has resulted in a new pedestrian link created to access the station from Andover Road.

The scheme has also provided a kick start to the proposals for redevelopment of the area around the Winchester station approach.

We think it’s fab too that Osborne even put up a ‘thank you’ sign to apologise for all the mess and inconvenience!

(L-R) Raj Kotecha - MD of Amro Real Estate Partners, Steve Brine, Andrew Osborne Chairman at Osborne and Mark Swindall from Osborne Developments.

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Squirt and Squidge Community Spirit

Freya Storey continues to share her life as a mum-of-two RECENTLY I’ve been thinking about the importance of community, and what this sense of ‘community’ now looks like in the 21 century.

I am beginning to feel more embedded in my locality due to some recent changes that I suppose have automatically made me a more active member. I have started a job that is walking distance away, compared to my old 30 minute a day commute and my son has started attending a local school.

Both changes for me have been welcome and refreshing, it is nice to see familiar faces on a daily basis, it is also comforting to feel that I am close to home when I am at work - it offers a sense of safety and warmth that I don’t think I ever realised was actually quite important to me.

I also feel there’s more of a natural urge to ‘want to give something back’ when it’s your locality that’s involved. You feel connected and in a sense responsible, to keep things going and running for the good of everyone around.

I recently had a very interesting conversation with a local shop owner that could have quite frankly gone on all night!

He was so interesting to listen to - with over 30 years of local knowledge. We got talking about a state of apathy in the community nowadays and how people are simply too busy to make a stand about

October 2018 YOU CAN READ PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF FREYA’S BLOG AT SQUIRTANDSQUIDGE.COM

It is nice to see familiar faces on a daily basis things they know are wrong and that are ultimately going to affect them directly.

Without sounding really old and disgruntled, it made me think how internal and blinkered the next generation appear to be coming - staring at phones and screens, living in a virtual reality instead of looking out and at what is important right in front of them.

I suppose we’re at a vital time in the community where we can still save treasured services and resources - our NHS facilities, libraries, parks and areas of beauty. I guess it’s up to us as the parents to educate the next generation of their importance, to try and drag them out of the screens in front of them so they can see in fact the beauty of what’s actually right there, rather than the imaginary world that is out of their grip.

Connected: one our treasured family gatherings

New Smart Card Deal for SWR We do two things on our internet radio station...

SOUTH Western Railway has had a bit of a bad press recently it has to be said - but here’s something the company promised right at the beginning, and has delivered on.

South Western Railway has launched a new type of ticket for those who use its trains regularly on the same journey, but not frequently enough to benefit from a season ticket. Among those who will benefit are part-time workers and those who regularly work from home and need flexibility when travelling to and from the workplace.

Customers who have a South Western Railway Touch Smart card can buy a 10-ticket bundle called Carnet.

These tickets, which are available at a 5% discount are for use between the

same origin and destination station and can be used for unlimited travel between the stations all day. Each ticket is valid for one day up to two months from the date of purchase, giving the customer the flexibility to choose when to use them.

Alan Penlington is South Western Railway’s Customer Experience Director: “More and more people are working from home these days, and this new Carnet gives them - and those who work part-time, a tremendous amount of flexibility while also offering great value for money with a 5% discount.”

You can order a Touch Smart card online, and then purchase a 10-ticket Carnet for the Touch Smart card online from the South Western Railway website.

1: talk about Winchester 2: play fantastic music

Carnet can be used for unlimited travel between the stations all day

FIND US ON THE TUNEIN APP!

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Winchester’s window into the world zeitgeist

A week of feature film premieres and award-winning short films selected from over 50 countries at venues across the city of Winchester Box Office: winchesterfilmfestival.com Concessions and 6-day passes available

Box Office

winchesterfilmfestival.com For tickets, full programme & film trailers Concessions and 6-day passes available Early bird tickets available until 15th October

Lost Youth WFF feature film premiere of Carga by Bruno Gascon.

Trailer and synopsis in the box office.

Saturday 3 November The Stripe, UOW

Comedy of Errors A collection of socio-political comedies to lift the spirits.

Full programme and trailers in the box office.

Wednesday 7 November P&G Wells

Poignant and touching dramas to stir the soul.

Full programme and trailers in the box office.

Monday 5 November Winchester Hi-Fi

Brave Women Powerful and inspiring dramas to inspire.

Full programme and trailers in the box office.

Thursday 8 November Hampshire Records Office

Cinematic dreams Original and mind-bending films to fuel the curiosity.

Full programme and trailers in the box office.

Tuesday 6 November Science Centre

Lost Youth Poignant and touching dramas to stir the soul.

Full programme and trailers in the box office.

Friday 9 November Winchester Discovery Centre

om

3 - 10 November WINCHESTER FILM FESTIVAL returns this November with a week of feature film premieres and awardwinning short films selected from more than 50 countries, with guest appearances by directors and cast.

Themes for this year include Brave Women, Lost Youth and Cinematic Dreams. In the words of festival director, John Hayes, “The Brave Women selection is a nod to the anniversary of woman’s suffrage, with films led by female characters refuse to be victims. Our Lost Youth selection is in recognition of the loss of innocence we all experience through growing up. Films selected for our Cinematic Dreams screening serve to fuel the curiosity and stimulate the imagination. We also have a Comedy of Errors selection of films to lift the spirits on the dark November evenings.”

The festival kicks off on Saturday 3rd November at the Stripe with the WFF premiere of Carga, “a painfully brave, visually stunning and provocative drama about the hidden realities of the human trafficking network”.

To introduce the film will be Portuguese director Bruno Gascon, with Professor Melrose in conversation with Baljit Soroya, discussing the film’s theme.

Monday 5th at Winchester HiFi includes the UK première of the eye-opening German film Mimicry, a sexual and spiritual road movie without cars. Also on this evening’s slate is the multi-award-winning British drama Aamir about a young migrant seeking salvation in the largest unofficial refugee camp in Europe.

Tuesday 6th at the Science Centre, in partnership with the Winchester Film Society, includes the astonishing Turkish drama Maneki Neko that magically entwines the desires of two strangers that meet in a taxi. We will also be screening the exquisitely crafted film Pure White about a ‘damaged’ being searching for answers from its creator in a seemingly perfect world.

Wednesday 7th at P&G Wells is an evening to lift the spirits, with the Belgian political satire May Day about decision making in Brussels, the UK première of the tragicomedy Hampi about a father’s touching attempt to unite a dysfunctional family, and the darkly humorous German film Midnight Confessions about a man reaching out to friends from his sordid past in search of vindication.

Thursday 8th at the Hampshire Records Office includes the Belgian drama Calamity about a mother, portrayed brilliantly by Ingrid Heiderscheidt, who loses control when she finds out about her son’s secret, and the multi-award winning Iranian film Retouch about a housewife who is confronted with an opportunity to murder her husband without being suspected. This evening’s offering also includes Hampshire based director Will Nash’s short film Lady in which a young ladette from the 90s isn’t afraid to do her own thing.

Friday 9th at the Discovery Centre includes the masterfully directed film Detainment by Irish director Vincent Lambe, a true story based on interview transcripts from the James Bulger case, lauded at Cannes film festival and described by Shots magazines as a film that...

“...packs a punch that has already provoked standing ovations and awards from screenings worldwide.”

Also screening is the poignant Dutch film Cavello about the rivalry between two friends when a young girl comes between them, and the touching Swedish drama Schoolyard Blues about a young boy preparing his brother for survival in the playground.

The festival week culminates with the glitzy black-tie award ceremony, with directors and crew from around the world descending upon Winchester.

After the festival week, at venues across the Winchester District there will be several Encore Screenings including feature film premières, documentaries and an evening of Films In Which Nothing Happens, a meditative collection of films for connoisseurs of the here and now.

To book tickets and view the full programme visit the festival Box Office: winchesterfilmfestival.com The festival Programme is available at all screening venues, and can be downloaded from the festival website: winchesterfilmfestival.com

3rd November The Stripe, Winchester Guest appearance by Director Bruno Gascon £12.00 standard ticket £9.60 early bird ticket Concessions available winchesterfilmfestival.com

“...a painfully brave, visually stunning, provocative and inspiring look into the hidden realities of the human trafficking network.”

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October 2018

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DIOCESE OF WINCHESTER LEADS THE WAY Growing number of local people pursue vocations to the priesthood AS the Diocese of Winchester’s locally-based training programme for ordinands commences its second year, the Diocese has seen a 50% increase in the number of people commencing training to become ordained clergy since 2016.

The Church of England has an ambitious national target to increase the number of people in training for ordination between 2016 and 2020.

Nationally, the Church is on track to reach this target, with 580 candidates having been recommended for training in 2018, up from 476 in 2016 (an increase of 22%). In the Diocese of Winchester, that target has already been met this year, with 21 candidates having been recommended, up from 14 two years ago – a 50% increase.

The students training for the priesthood train alongside those training for lay ministry, which has also seen an increase in numbers. The flexibility of the course enables those with work or family commitments to study alongside fulfilling those commitments.

The Right Reverend Tim Dakin is Bishop of Winchester: “I am excited to see such growth in the number of people in our Diocese who are actively considering whether God is calling them to ordained ministry.

“I believe that our new model of training is part of the reason why we have seen such growth. It enables our ordinands to study in a missional context, focused on how their ministry can best reach out to and serve their community, as well as being a local and flexible course.

Marianne Foster commenced training for ordination this month. She is 41, but first thought that she wanted to become a vicar when she was just five years old. At

BISHOP OF WINCHESTER SUPPORTS RUNNERS Training: Amy Roche (left) and Marianne Foster

the time the Church of England did not allow women to be ordained, but she still knew that this was what she wanted to do when she grew up.

After she started attending Christ Church Winchester, fellow parishioners started asking her why she was not ordained. She thought that perhaps she had left it too late and that she was now too old. Then one day the vicar, asked her, “So, when are we going to talk about ordination?”. She applied, and after an 18 month process was accepted as a student. She will be studying part-time, which enables her to carry on working alongside her studies.

Amy Roche has just commenced training for ordination. She initially started her application to train to be a priest six years ago, but had to put her plans on hold shortly afterwards. Amy was working for the Church Mission Society, and was sent on a placement to Beirut and Lebanon, where, as a

One day the vicar asked her, “So, when are we going to talk about ordination?” woman, training for ministry was not possible. She and her husband recently moved to Whitchurch, in the Diocese of Winchester, and was accepted as a candidate for ordination in the Diocese.

AMONG the many who took part in the Winchester Half Marathon were members of Winchester Churches Together - in support of Winchester Hospice. The runners are contributing in an effort to raise over £2.5m to renovate Burrell House in the grounds of the Royal Hampshire County Hospital and turn it into a hospice.

Winchester Hospice will be the home of the palliative care team, providing compassionate and specialist care for up to 10 inpatients as well as patients in hospital and in their own homes. Currently there is no hospice provision in the area, and patients requiring hospice care and services travel to Andover, West End or Basingstoke.

The runners were spurred on their way by the Bishop of Winchester, who prayed with them at the start line of the half Marathon. “I’m very proud of our runners who have joined together to help make Winchester Hospice a reality. The

Stunning Transformation For Mayflower New colour scheme for Grade II theatre’s 90th Anniversary WOWSERS. Here it is then… the result of 11 weeks of hard work in a £7.5m makeover for the Mayflower.

We’ll say it again… wowsers!

The work has included: l Repainting the entire auditorium, with a brand-new red and gold colour scheme l Removing all of the seats in the stalls and circle and replacing with 1,659 brand-new (and wider) seats

l Reupholstering all seats in

the balcony

l Installing new environmentally-

friendly LED lighting

l Increasing accessibility, with better

facilities for people with disabilities

l Moving the orchestra pit to under

the stage

l Renovating the plasterwork

Funny, we don’t think we’re going to miss that green at all...

energetic commitment of the volunteers and supporters to the new hospice is a fantastic example to us all. We pray for all those who will provide the special care that patients need in the most vulnerable time of their lives. It’s inspiring to witness the way in which Church communities in Winchester are coming together to help others in Christian charity.”

MP Steve Brine and the Mayor, Frank Pearson got the race underway.

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October 2018

SAM DELIVERS REAL LOVE Can Sam Smith do any wrong? Featuring on eight number one singles, including a Bond blockbuster, currently on a World Tour with many ‘sold out’ shows even in April 2019… and he’s still only 26.

Rachel Gover catches the British superstar on the Canadian leg of his world tour SAM SMITH Rogers Arena, Vancouver Monday 10 September 2018

WE’VE all been there. That kind of love we feel for someone that gives you sweaty palms, lump in your throat, and ‘makes you do stupid things’ teenage kind of love. The kind of love that we lose sleep over. The love that hurts like no other as your heart aches for them and would do anything for them kind of love. That kind of love when they call you in the middle of the night, only to take it all away kind of love. It’s shattering and feels like the end of the world kind of love. And, boy, have we all been there.

It’s a Monday evening in Vancouver, and crowds gather outside the arena. My girlfriends and I have come to see Sam Smith perform his latest tour: “The Thrill Of It All.” Six time Grammy nominee, Sam Smith, is just at the tender age of 26, performing his 74th show of the tour tonight. With an old soul, he has experienced heartache so painful and raw; just like the rest of us. It is easy to forget he is just 26. For many, we seek comfort and therapy in his words. We may be in a large venue, but through the intimacy of Smith’s songs, it feels like a one on one coffee date. Tonight, Sam Smith is not just a singer; he’s your friend.

Screams fill the air as the words: “Let’s turn off our phones tonight and rely on the stars. We’ve been so lost lately, we forget who we are” light up the darkness. Through the screams, the room is filled with harmonies, profoundlike and solemn. Accompanied by an organ, the space feels sacred; there is permission for us to feel vulnerable with our emotions. Smith sits hunched over his seat. The marble light behind is ethereal, giving him a silhouette stature.

His opening track Burning is executed with exquisite beauty; Smith bares all as he leans back into his seat, chest open.

The stage production is effortlessly

simple throughout, truly nothing else is needed. This can be said throughout the concert; the production was elegantly understated. There are no tricks, no acrobatics, just simplicity.

Smith stands as a humble presence.

His laughs are gentle and honest; he apologises that he realises his songs are “all depressing,” But as we sing with him, we are told “to sing this to your ex!” He reminds us it’s okay to have smoked too many cigarettes, to send those crazy text messages, to rebel, to dance and to cry. He reminds us that through heartbreak, we are normal. Quickly leaping into One Last Song, there is elevation within the room.

Smith was just 19 years old when Lay Me Down was produced. Both Lay Me Down and Latch were beautifully stripped back and performed

acoustically; Smith asked his audience to unapologetically throw their arms into the air as the torch lights on our mobile phones lit the sky like stars. Smith’s performance of 007 Writing On The Wall was majestic as he is elevated into the air. As the song comes to an end, it is like Smith is a kid in a sweet shop. He exclaims to the crowd: “How dramatic was that?!” and we are reminded again that he is just like one of us.

As Smith removes his suit jacket, the dancing can begin. Smith performs his number one hit single Promises and we feel like we are at the best Gay bar in the world – his words exactly. His rendition of Best Things In Life Are Free has us all dancing carefree with our neighbours; never wanting to leave the club.

The choreography has Smith with his

A crazy and strange Big Top Dilyara Gover experiences moments of madness and breathtaking acrobatics

THE EXPLODED CIRCUS Theatre Royal, Winchester

WHEN I first saw the advert for The Exploded Circus on Winchester Theatre Royal’s Facebook page, I immediately thought I absolutely must go and see it!

What attracted me was the atmosphere they portrayed about the stage and the unusual look of the stage decorations.

The Exploded Circus is described as the Big Top at the end of the world… the moment where an explosion had been frozen in time.

I looked forward for ages to go and see it! And finally here I was. It was a magnificent performance from the sixstrong ladies (Mimbre) – nimble, strong, brave and artistic. But not just that. It was also the atmosphere they created with what they did and how they used the stage decorations.

I can’t even call them decorations.

It was like I had been transported to an old dusty attic or a forgotten courtyard

The Exploded Circus is described as the Big Top at the end of the world

with odd things hanging from the ceiling and scattered everywhere. As it transpired later, every little contraption had its own purpose. Even a big toy horse’s head! It seemed that every character lived its own life.

I heard a few opinions from around me - ‘crazy’, ‘strange’, ‘unusual’, and finally, ‘contemporary circus’.

Watching the performance I felt like they carried me away to the ancient time of wandering circus performers, a time that doesn’t exist anymore unless it’s in your mind.

When everything is possible. It is possible to walk on a wire with motley lights, possible to hang upside down on a wheel just under the ceiling, to hide from the imagined rain under a huge colourful umbrella. And to reach the stars cycling a bike! Just don’t forget to take your friends with you!

They can sit in a trailer behind and speed you all along with two massive wooden wings. Yes, with that horse’s head in front of you!

There are no tricks, no acrobatics, just simplicity

back turned to the audience often; his stature compelling. However, through harmonies so powerful with his choir, there is never lack of engagement. There is unity as Smith empowers his audience.

The room becomes electrified as Smith belts out HIM. His fist pumps the air as he roars that: “Love is Love! I am a proud Gay man, and if you are proud of who you are tonight, let me see your hands in the air!” The choir’s harmonies are hauntingly beautiful as they rip across the arena; the audiences’ faces bathe in the rainbow lights from the stage. Throughout the concert, there are underlying religious connotations. Smith has addressed in the past the isolation that he has felt within his faith to identify as a Gay man; HIM suggesting the word hymn.

Echoes of our hands clapping together fill the venue as Smith performs his first single from the album Too Good At Goodbyes. Red tape falls from the sky, much like the tears from those around me, and floats delicately towards the ground as Smith then performs his number one single Stay With Me. His long red winter coat, the tape and the warmth in the red lights are all woven together to match perfectly.

In a recent interview with Zane Lowe, Smith expresses that over 100 songs were written over the course of three years for this album, only never to see the light of day. He tells Lowe that: “I allow myself to let them go, with intention.” Smith notes that when writing Pray, he was inspired

by Nina Simone: “How can you be an artist, and not speak of your times?” as he recalls on his recent trip to Iraq to visit the war camps. Pray is Smith’s final song of the show. His falsetto notes are ghostly, heavenly as he sings acapella.

Smith wishes his audience to have a beautiful week as he resides to the chair from the opening of the show. An electric guitar softly plays his departure as he lowers into the ground. Tears are wiped away, and we are taught that real love… is never a waste of time.

music previews

October 2018

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AVRIL IS BACK!

ESSENTIAL

VINYL

Superstar returns with heartfelt song WITH more than 40 million albums sold and eight Grammy nominations, global recording superstar Avril Lavigne has released her first new music in five years.

Preceded by a heartfelt letter to her fans on social media a couple of weeks ago, ‘Head Above Water’ details the personal side of Avril’s journey through her widely reported battle with Lyme Disease. The singer co-wrote the song, which hinges on stark piano chords and her powerhouse vocals, to share the most intimate look at her experience and how she has emerged stronger than ever.

Released by BMG, the song is available to stream and download everywhere now: “One night, I thought I was dying, and I had accepted that I was going to die. My mum laid with me in bed and held me. I felt like I was drowning.

Under my breath, I prayed ‘God, please help to keep my head above the water.’

In that moment, the songwriting of this album began. It was like I tapped into something. It was a very spiritual experience. Lyrics flooded through me from that point on.”

Coinciding with the music release, Avril is continuing to bring the strong messaging of Head Above Water through The Avril Lavigne Foundation.

The Foundation has launched a charitable t-shirt campaign that will raise funds to directly impact individuals affected by Lyme that wouldn’t otherwise be able to

afford treatment. Feeling the need to bring awareness to the severity of Lyme Disease, Avril and her Foundation have made the charitable t-shirt available by visiting www.

TheAvrilLavigneFoundation.org The Avril Lavigne Foundation supports people with Lyme Disease, serious illness or disabilities. Through programmes and grants, it provides funding, education and encouragement for its beneficiaries.

Photo: David Needleman

I prayed ‘God, please help to keep my head above the water.’

In that moment, the songwriting of this album began

ABC

THE LEXICON OF LOVE Released: June 1982 Neutron Records

Miss Emerald keeps making her mark It will be wonderful to return to the place where it all started

CARO Emerald continues her 22-date UK tour this month that includes Bournemouth on 26th October, and a return to Camden’s Jazz Café, the venue where she played her first UK show in 2011.

This special, intimate show is Caro’s 100th UK concert: “It will be wonderful to return to the place where it all started for us in the UK. It was such an exciting time and I could only dream about what might happen. To look back over the past seven years….how warmly we were welcomed by Britain, and all that we have achieved since that first concert, is quite overwhelming.”

Since the release of the 2010 multiplatinum debut album Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor Caro Emerald and producers David Schreurs and Jan van Wieringen at Grandmono have fashioned their own niche.

Her second album The Shocking Miss Emerald entered the Official UK Album Chart at No. 1 in May 2013, remaining in the chart for an entire year. With a string of sold out tours and performances at festivals throughout Europe including Glastonbury and Isle of Wight, Caro has made her mark.

“Who broke my heart? You did… you did…” Oh, the angst. Mainly from Martin Fry, but the women were given the chance to get their own back too. Throughout, Martin tries to find true love - seemingly failing at all points!

This was one of Sheffield’s finest - sharp, slick and THAT gold lamé jacket. For a debut album, this was the biz. Straight in at Number 1 - produced by Trevor Horn and released around the same time as the Horn-produced Dollar’s Videotheque with the same kind of wall-to-wall ‘in your face’ sound.

We’d already had three Top 20 singles before the album came out - ‘Tears Are Not Enough’, ‘Poison Arrow’ and ‘The Look Of Love’... ‘All of my Heart’ became the fourth. The album was adored by the critics; most reviewers gave it 4 or 5 stars. Mojo has it listed as one of the best albums of the 1980s - with Q Magazine having it at number 40 in their best 100 albums ever.

I interviewed Martin exclusively in Brussels shortly after the album’s release in 1982, and I have to say that he was LOVING the success. The radio station I worked for adored ABC - and I remember he thought what we were doing as a station was much better than some of the dirge back home.

ABC never seemed to have the same huge success afterwards.

Alphabet City, and The Lexicon of Love 2 were both Top 5 albums, but singles-wise, not even the fantastic ‘Be Near Me’ or ‘When Smokey Sings’ made it into the Top 10 singles chart.

They’re not even a group now.

These days, Martin does it all on his own. Oh, the angst 2.

By the way… “I care enough to know that I can never love you…”

Kevin Gover

news

October 2018

winchestertoday.co.uk 15

What’s On in Winchester and beyond October 2018 Until Wednesday 31st Harvest Time at Mottisfont National Trust, Nr Romsey.

Monday – Sunday, 10am - 5pm

Friday 5th Comedy Club

You do NOT have to pay to have your event listed here! . You can send printed leaflets or brochures to Winchester Today, Suite 123, 80 High Street, Winchester, SO23 9AT, send details by email to news@winchestertoday.co.uk or tweet us the info @winchestertoday All event details listed are correct at time of going to press.

Winchester Science Centre, Telegraph Way, Winchester. 7pm - 10pm

Monday 22nd – Tuesday 23rd Half-term Art Camps The Log Cabin, Stockbridge Road, Winchester. 10.30am - 2.30pm

Wednesday 24th – Thursday 25th/Saturday 27th Pumpkin Carving Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Ampfield Romsey

Friday 5th – Saturday 6th Oktoberfest Festival Fontwell Park, Fontwell Park Racing and Events, West Sussex. 12pm – 6pm.

Tickets: www.fontwellpark.co.uk

Friday 5th – Sunday 7th Winchester Poetry Festival Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester. 2pm-7pm

Saturday 27th – Sunday 28th Wizard Weekend

Castle Fields, Southsea. Tickets: www.oktoberfestportsmouth.co.uk/

The Watercress Line, The Mid Hants Railway, Station Road, Alresford. 11am - 4pm

Friday 26th – Saturday 27th Spooky Halloween River Tour

Saturday 6th Eastleigh Artisan Market Wells Place, Wells Road, Eastleigh.

9am – 4pm

Saturday 6th Eastney Beach Clean Nr The Coffee Cup, Eastney Esplanade, Southsea. 10am – 12pm

Saturday 6th William Walker The Diver – 100th Year Anniversary Of His Death

Sunday 21st Great South Run

Theatre Royal, Jewry Street, Winchester. 7.30pm

Join the Rotary Club and Walk The Test Way to support those affected by Parkinson’s Disease. Series of walks available.

Times and more information: www. parkinsons.org.uk/events/walk-test-way

Southsea Seafront, Portsmouth.

Register and book here: www.greatrun.org/great-south-run

Friday 12th Romsey Chamber Music Festival Autumn Concert United Reformed Church, 1 Abbey Water, Romsey. 7.30pm

Middle Brook Street, Winchester

Friday 12th – Saturday 13th Sky Dining Emirates Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth. 7.30pm

Service of Commemoration, Winchester Cathedral, The Close, Winchester

Friday 12th – Sunday 14th Children’s Moorcroft in the Garden Trail

Saturday 6th Exotic South American Cuisine with Fabricio Cano

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyn’s Lane, Ampfield, Romsey

Season Cookery School, Lainston House Hotel, Woodman Lane, Sparsholt, Winchester.

9.30pm – 4.30pm

Friday 12th – Sunday 14th Hampshire’s Octoberfest in Basingstoke

Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th Hampshire Harvest Festival Weekend Winchester Cathedral, Inner Close, Winchester. 9am – 5pm

Saturday 6th/ Sunday 7th/13th/14th The Science of Sci-Fi Winchester Science Centre, Telegraph Way, Winchester. 10am - 5pm

Saturday 6th October – Saturday 3rd November Jane Austen Tour and Tea Winchester Cathedral, The Close, Winchester.

Saturday 6th October – Monday 5th November Happy Halloween Paultons Park Ower, Romsey. 10am - 5pm

Sunday 7th Romsey Farmers’ Market Alma Road, Romsey

Monday 8th Psychic Sally Guildhall Winchester, The Broadway, Winchester. 7pm

Monday 8th – Wednesday 10th Henry V by William Shakespeare Winchester Cathedral, The Close, Winchester. 7.30pm - 10pm

Sunday 14th/Sunday 28th Winchester Farmers’ Market

Cricket and Sports Ground, Fairfields Road, Basingstoke.

Tickets: www.hampshireoktoberfest.co.uk/

Friday 12th – Friday 7th December Mindfulness Stress Reduction Course Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyn’s Lane, Romsey.

Monday – Sunday, 10am – 12.30pm

Saturday 13th Oxjam Portsmouth Music Festival Glasshouse, Pyramids Centre, Portsmouth. 12pm – 11.30pm.

Tickets: oxjamportsmouth.co.uk

Monday 15th Benedict Allen Ultimate Explorer Tour Theatre Royal, Jewry Street, Winchester. 7.30pm

Monday 15th – Sunday 4th November Halloween Family Trail Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyn’s Lane, Ampfield, Romsey

Friday 19th – Monday 5th November October Half Term Fireworks & Fairgrounds Winchester Science Centre, Telegraph Way, Winchester. 10am - 5pm

Friday 19th – Sunday 21st Autumn Steam Gala The Watercress Line, The Railway Station, Station Road, Alresford. 9am - 6pm

Saturday 20th – Sunday 28th Boo at the Zoo: Halloween Marwell Thompsons Lane, Colden Common, Winchester. 10am - 4pm

Saturday 20th – Sunday 28th October Half-term at Beaulieu

Saturday 13th Autumn Pumpkin Festival and Scarecrow Avenue

National Motor Museum, New Forest, Beaulieu. 11am - 4pm

Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley, Southampton. 12pm – 5pm

Saturday 20th – Sunday 28th Spooky Halloween Menu

Saturday 13th/Sunday 14th/20th – 24th/25th – 31st (Late Night Openings) Pumpkin Festival Sunnyfields Farm, Jacobs Gutter Lane, Totton, Southampton.

10am - 5pm.

Late night openings – 10am - 9pm

Saturday 13th – Sunday 28th New Forest Walking Festival New Forest, Hampshire.

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyn’s Lane, Ampfield, Romsey

Saturday 20th October 2018 – Sunday 20th October 2019 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 year Exhibition Beaulieu, Hampshire

Sunday 21st Bowie Experience Theatre Royal, Jewry Street, Winchester. 7.30pm

Seafront, Hayling Island. 5pm

Friday 26th – Saturday 27th Oktoberfest Portsmouth

Saturday 6th Dials Festival Sunday 14th Walk the Test Way

Saturday 27th Funland Hayling Island Fright Night Fireworks

John Montagu Building, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst. 7.30pm

Mayflower Park, Town Quay, Southampton.

Tickets: www.oktoberfestsoton.com/

Monday 8th – Saturday 13th Salad Days

Plaza Theatre Romsey, Winchester Road, Romsey. 7.30pm

Stockbridge Town Hall, High Street, Stockbridge. 10am - 4pm

Hoglands Park, Queens Way, Southampton. 10am - 11pm

photo: Scott Rylander

Saturday 27th Elvis Raised on Rock The Concert Years

Saturday 27th Fireworks Spectacular Beaulieu

Friday 26th – Saturday 27th Oktoberfest Southampton

Salad Days comes to the Theatre Royal from the 8th to the 13th

RACHEL GOVER

Friday 26th Hampshire Pop Up Studios Gift Buying Event

Friday 5th – Sunday 7th Comedy Central Live Southampton

The Wedgewood Rooms, 147B Albert Road, Southsea. 2pm - 11pm.

Tickets: www.dialsfestival.com/

COMPILED BY

New Forest Activities, Bailey’s Hard, Beaulieu 6.30pm - 8pm

Saturday 27th Cheriton Fireworks 6pm, with children’s parade starting at 7.15pm

Sunday 28th Winchester Monster Dash North Walls Recreation Ground, Winchester. Midday - 4pm

Monday 29th October – Sunday 4th November New Forest Food and Drink Week Various Locations.

All event listings here: www.thenewforest.co.uk/food-and-drink/ food-and-drink-week

the final word

16 winchestertoday.co.uk

October 2018

HERE’S SOMETHING WE MADE EARLIER… Sticky back plastic, the garden invasion and THAT elephant Blue Peter celebrates 60 glorious years

By KEVIN GOVER “BBC 1 - it’s five-to-five…” - this was one programme that no young person wanted to miss from the day it started in 1958 and on through the 60s, 70s, 80s right up to today.

As an 8-year-old in 1968, just after this particular introduction, who could not have failed to gasp at the screen as John, Valerie and Peter drove into Television Centre in FAB 1 - yes, Lady Penelope’s car! If you’ve forgotten when this actually happened (13 June 1968), fear not… the Beeb has digitised every single episode and you can now watch them all online.

Yes. Every. Episode. Ever.

There’s good reason too, because the programme that you and I grew up with - ‘live’ on the telly - is 60 years old this month. It’s still broadcast live too, except these days it lives on CBBC. No room any more on BBC One, much to the irritation of a lot of people, it seems that

Dream team: The classic line-up (above) of Peter Purves, Valerie Singleton and John Noakes (not forgetting Petra, Patch and Jason!)

This was one programme that no young person wanted to miss

the pointless Pointless is needed instead of education. And that’s how I remember it. Education. We learned things. I always enjoyed the new stamps when they came out. In those days there were only about six issues a year compared to the almost weekly issues these days. We were shown how to do the First Day Covers, how to make things… and yes, I was very proud of my own book on the Royal Family!

Anyhow, there’s a live one-hour special to look forward to on Tuesday 16 October on CBBC - and an opportunity to remember just why children are still inspired to send in more than 100,000 letters and pictures each year.

All images copyright BBC, used by kind permission.

BLUE PETER 1958-2018 16 October 1958 first programme aired with Christopher Trace and Leila Williams (pictured) as the first two presenters. There have been 35 other presenters since.

11 June 1998 the third time capsule was buried under the floor of the Millenium Dome. It was accidentally dug up in 2017.

7 January 2000 The original time capsule box (pictured) was examined.

19 October 2017 children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson ‘guest edited’ the show 1 February 2018 5000th edition celebrated with the introduction of a Diamond Badge.

16 October 2018 60th anniversary - Ed Sheeran will receive a Gold Badge.

25 RNLI lifeboats have been funded by the programme through appeals. Remember collecting milk bottle tops?!

14 September 1970 broadcast in colour 30 May 1977 - John Noakes climbs Nelson’s Column. Safety is paramount (not!)

Christmas 1962 Petra appears for the first time. She’s a replacement for the original unnamed dog who died from distemper. The viewers are not told for fear of upsetting them..

28 September 1964 moved to two episodes per week Christmas 1964 first Blue Peter book published 3 July 1969 Lulu the elephant visits the studio (pictured) ahead of the team’s trip to Ceylon.

What could possibly go wrong? “Get off me foot!”

21 November 1983 the edition announced that the ‘Blue Peter Garden’ had been vandalised over the weekend

29 March 2011 Blue Peter was broadcast on the web in 360 degrees 23 February 2012 new garden is opened at the Salford site by HRH The Princess Royal 28 May 2017 the world mourned as John Noakes (pictured right) died.

He was the show’s longest serving presenter…

12 years and 6 months.

Christmas The traditional format (pictured) is repeated every year. My friend Alan says Christmas “doesn’t start until the fourth candle is lit.”

200,000 - the number of under-16s who have at least one Blue Peter badge.