Winchester Today 4 March 2024

MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR

Dear Readers,

We regret that we are unable to bring you our normal edition this week due to a serious medical incident involving our managing editor.

Kevin is currently recovering at home, and hopefully we will return next Monday with a full issue.

Please keep him in your thoughts as we get through this tough time.

We thank you all for your ongoing support.

Blood Brothers page 25

Cricket page 32

Houdini’s great escape page 20

“Really sorry that due to a medical emergency last week that we need to bring you a shortened version of the newspaper today.

“I would like to extend my grateful thanks to my neighbours, the paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service and all the medical team at RHCH. You are truly amazing.

Please enjoy what’s inside, support our advertisers and stay strong!

Kevin

DICTATED TO OUR EDITORIAL TEAM

“So, what has happened to me? I will try to explain so that any of you going through the same thing can maybe smile to yourself and say: “Yep, I can relate to that.”

I remember ending up in A and E at the RHCH and them saying that I had been taken for a emergency brain scan… and here’s the biggest thing so far, and since, that I just can’t remember any of it. Can’t remember getting into the ambulance, arriving at the hospital, the scan itself – except for wearing those huge headphones because of the noise from the MRI machine. And those repeated messages of: “Do not move. This scan will take three minutes…” Over and over.

Now I have all those bruise marks over my arms and hands where they were looking to put fluid in and out through one or two cannulas. Endless blood sugar tests by pricking the fingertips. Yes, they hurt!

I feel some kind of headache but it’s gentle and not overbearing. I feel a fraud because nothing actually really hurts even though I know what I’ve been through.

Then I realise what’s happening in the world, I think about my normal job, bringing you stories good and bad. The good like the Body Shop in Winchester! I have loved these shops since the 1980s. The bad that my doctor surgery appeared to have gone into meltdown because of an IT crisis, just when I needed them most of all. The news that the footy in Winchester and elsewhere in our league was called off yet again because of the weather.

All my friends and businesses here in the city rallying round… thank you!

And my wife… it was her birthday on Saturday. Would we still be able to celebrate?

Most of all, the sun is shining, and – my word as I write this – it’s a beautiful day.

The Winchester Hotel and Spa

J u s t a 1 0 - m i n u t e w a l k f r o m W i n c h e s t e r H i g h S t r e e t , l i e s a p a r a d i s e w a i t i n g t o b e e x p l o r e d .

F r o m s o o t h i n g m a s s a g e s t o r e j u v e n a t i n g f a c i a l s , o u r t r a i n e d s p a t h e r a p i s t s w i l l t a k e c a r e o f y o u r e v e r y n e e d .

U n w i n d i n o u r n e w l y r e n o v a t e d s p a f a c i l i t i e s , i n c l u d i n g a n e w p l u n g e - p o o l , h y d r o - p o o l , s t e a m r o o m a n d s a u n a .

V i s i t t o o u r n e w f i t n e s s s t u d i o , c o m p l e t e w i t h f r e e w e i g h t s

r e s i s t a n c e c a b l e m a c h i n e s , c a r d i o v a s c u l a r m a c h i n e s , a n d a n a r e a f o r a e r o bi c e x e r c i s e .

S i g n u p t o o n e o f o u r m e m b e r s h i p p a c k a g e s a n d r e c e i v e a

r a n g e o f b e n e f i t s i n c l u d i n g 2 0 % o f f o u r r e l a x i n g t r e a t m e n t s .

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t w w w . t h e w i n c h e s t e r h o t e l . c o . u k / s p a

W o r t h y L a n e , W i n c h e s t e r , S O 2 3 7 A B

Rain stops play – AGAIN!

Rain well and truly stopped play this week with not one, but two postponements for Winchester City’s first team, writes Matt Richbell.

Waterlogged pitches have been a regular occurrence this season, but Tuesday night’s trip to Tiverton Town was the first to get called off.

Then the club received special permission to organise a Friday evening pitch inspection ahead of Saturday’s game against Merthyr Town. This again resulted in a postponement due to a waterlogged pitch, but the early call saved Merthyr making the journey across from Wales on the day.

City’s trip to Tiverton has been rearranged for Tuesday 26th March. An alternative date is yet to be confirmed for the rescheduled Merthyr match.

Happy New Year from Pearsons!

Last year was un unpredictable market, even for the usually very resilient Winchester market. We are pleased to notice much better levels of interest across the board even this early in 2024. Buyer confidence started to stabilise in November and December 2023 and has surged in the first weeks of the year. With interest rates holding, mortgage lenders being more competitive and stable with their products and vendors that have waiting now coming to market, we anticipate a fruitful ‘bounce-back’ year.

If you are considering moving over the next year or simply interested in the price of your property – please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you. In the meantime, have a lovely festive season!

Testimonials

“We moved to Pearsons 6 months into attempting to sell with hopes of better success. We were not disappointed. Sam and his team provided a genuinely insightful and professional service.”

“I have moved several times over the years and this is by far, the best experience I have had. I was kept informed throughout the selling process what was happening; where things needed to be expedited they did what was required to make things happen. My faith in Estate Agents has been restored, I have and would recommend Pearsons to anyone wishing to sell their house.”

“Pearsons give a personal, kind, friendly service which simply can't be under-estimated when buying and selling houses. They listen and treat you as an individual. I'd really recommend them.”

“Mighty Fine Tunes Needed Please…”

”Jess Garner, weekdays at 7pm on Winchester Today on DAB+ across the city.

Fun For The Family – Young And Old!

The Theatre Royal in Winchester has a whole host of family shows to enjoy… here’s an idea of what’s happening.

Zog and the Flying Doctors, Friday 08 – Sun 10 March, various times

Science Museum: The Live Stage Show, Sunday 17 March, 1.30pm

The Gruffalo’s Child, Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 March, various times

Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book, Tuesday 02 – Wednesday 03 April, various times

Dear Zoo, Saturday 06 – Sunday 07 April, various times

The Singing Mermaid, Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 April, various times

Cillian O’Connor: My Magic World, Tuesday 30 July, 7pm

Call the Box Office on 01962 840440 or see the website at theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

THE REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE PRODUCTION

LYRICS BY TIM RICE MUSIC BY ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

STARRING

JULIAN CLARY

THU-SAT AS HEROD

MON 25 - SAT 30 MAR

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Dear Readers,

We regret that we are unable to bring you our normal edition this week due to a serious medical incident involving our managing editor.

Kevin is currently recovering at home, and hopefully we will return next Monday with a full issue.

Please keep him in your thoughts as we get through this tough time.

We thank you all for your ongoing support.

It’s Back!

Very Soon!

Easy ways to advertise with Winchester Today!

If you would like to advertise with us, we have kept it very simple for you.

There are two ways: Online Only and Full

Online Only: £35 / month. This gives you a 1/4 page ad in the online newspaper every Monday. No minimum spend, advertise when you like ahead of a campaign. And, like our friends at BA, now and then we’ll upgrade you to a full page!

Full: £95 / month. You get a full page ad in the online newspaper every week and daily coverage on the radio station, with the radio coverage exactly to your choice. You can have traditional radio adverts across the day or choose to be associated with a show, like ‘Playmakers’ have done on Jon Gripton’s show every evening. ‘A World of Furniture’ is associated with Kevin’s show every morning. ‘Pearsons’ support our Saturday radio programmes. ‘Sarker World of Dance’ supports our Saturday Night Party.

Please Support Our Advertisers and Supporters!

Please Support Our Advertisers and Supporters!

Without them, we simply would not be here. All our arts supporters allow us to see their shows and report back so that YOU can make your own mind up!

Without them, we simply would not be here. All our arts supporters allow us to see their shows and report back so that YOU can make your own mind up!

Many thanks to:

Many thanks to:

A World Of Furniture, Chandler’s Ford Pearsons Estate Agents, Southgate Street Mayflower, Southampton

A World Of Furniture, Chandler’s Ford Pearsons Estate Agents, Southgate Street Mayflower, Southampton

Sarker Danceworks

Sarker Danceworks

Theatre Royal, Winchester

Theatre Royal, Winchester

Chesil Theatre

Chesil Theatre

MAST Southampton

MAST Southampton

Jane Austen’s House

Jane Austen’s House

The Anvil, Basingstoke

The Anvil, Basingstoke

Cheriton Players

Cheriton Players (left)

(left)

Review: Blood Brothers Mayflower Southampton – 27 February 2024

Review: Jan Conway

It’s many years since I last saw Blood Brothers, and my memories were quite sketchy,so I was able to watch this 2024 touring version at the Mayflower Theatre with fresh eyes. Although the musical is now over 40 years old, its story of twins separated as babies, one growing up in working class poverty, the other in middle-class affluence, whose lives tragically intertwine as adults, still tugs at the heartstrings.

Written by Willy Russell and set in his home city of Liverpool between the 1960s and 1980s, Blood Brothers is an epic tale centred around the family of Mrs Johnstone, a struggling, working class, single mother with a brood of children, who finds herself pregnant with twins. Her wealthy, middle class employer, Mrs Lyons, is desperate for a child, and they make a pact that will have a massive impact on all their lives as Mrs Johnstone agrees to give Mrs Lyons one of the twin baby boys. Both women agree never to tell the boys their shared history; however, they meet and become best friends and “blood brothers” as children, a friendship that continues into adulthood without either knowing of their blood relationship until the final tragic scene.

The Narrator moves the plot along like the Chorus in a Greek tragedy. We know from the beginning that the story won’t have a happy ending. But its themes of love, family, wealth, class, and circumstance are as relevant and heart

wrenching today as they were when it was written. It isn’t all tragedy though; there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in the clever script and songs and particularly in the scenes of childhood and teenage angst. Although I knew what was about to happen, the final scene is so powerfully tense and shocking that I almost jumped out of my seat. I joined what looked like the entire theatre on my feet for a standing ovation at the end of the amazing performance.

Niki Colwell Evans is a fantastic Mrs Johnstone, powerfully conveying the different emotions of the anguished, desperate young mother; through the poor, downtrodden, middle-aged woman and finally the raw grief of the older, bereaved mother. Her singing voice is perfect for the role; her rendition of “Tell Me It’s Not True” makes the audience want to shed a tear with her.

Sean Jones is also a powerful Mickey, equally believable as a 7-year-old child playing; an awkward, embarrassed teenager in the first pangs of desire; a desperate young man who loses his job with little prospect of finding another, and who, in desperation, commits a crime and then comes out of prison a broken, clinically depressed man addicted to prescription drugs.

All the cast are versatile actors and singers, many playing multiple roles and characters ageing from childhood through to adulthood. The costumes are impressive and really enhance the actors’ portrayals of their characters as they age. The set and lighting are effective; the scene changes slick, and the live band are fantastic.

If you missed our special interview ahead of The Sleeping Beauty with BRB Ambassador Darcey Bussell, just go to our issue from Monday 22 January.

Local dancer cannot wait for ‘Edward Scissorhands’

Review: Helena Gomm

When Matthew Bourne’s ballet ‘Edward Scissorhands’ comes to The Mayflower, Southampton for four days from March 13th, dancing the roles of Tiffany Covitt and one of the village children will be Winchester’s own Molly ShawDownie.

Molly started dancing at the age of three and a half, attending the Florian School of Dance in Winchester, where, she says, her incredible teacher Annette FitzGerald both inspired her and taught her the importance of hard work. This was also where she first fell in love with ballet.

Molly’s parents, although not performers themselves, shared their love of the performing arts with their children, taking them to shows all the time. Soon, Molly couldn’t imagine doing anything else as a career, and older brother Jack is also involved in the theatre. The whole family will be watching Molly on stage – they generally buy tickets for several performances of every show she is in.

Molly is no stranger to the Mayflower stage, having played one of the sewer children in ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ when she was ten. By 13, she was in the Royal Ballet’s production of ‘The Nutcracker’, playing Miss Gertrude. She remembers being pulled onto the stage in a beautiful dolls’ house and having lots of gingerbread children to look after.

Working with Matthew Bourne and being part of the New Adventures company is a dream come true for Molly. She loves everything that Bourne does, particularly his ‘Swan Lake’. One of the things that she most admires about his shows is that they are very accessible to audiences, as well as being visually stunning. Bourne has a wonderfully unique take on everything, but in each piece by New Adventures, the story is key. Audiences want to understand what is going on, so the dancers work hard with actions to gestures to convey emotion and make it crystal clear what is happening.

This production of ‘Edward Scissorhands’ was at Sadler’s Wells for a couple of months over Christmas and then set off on tour. Molly says that taking a show around the country is great fun. Yes, it is tiring to put the ballet on at a new venue each week, but adapting to new surroundings is something you get used to doing, and New Adventures has a fabulous technical team who make it all happen, whatever the size of the stage. The dancers get one technical rehearsal at each venue before the show opens, and that is quite intense. However, Molly feels that adapting to new venues – new backstage areas, new entrance configurations, parts of the set that don’t fit a smaller stage perhaps omitted – keeps the show fresh.

It is clear from talking to Molly that she is one of those people lucky enough to be doing their dream job. Her joy at being able to dance on stage every night in front of an audience is evident, and she says that this completely outweighs any feeling of missing family and friends while she is touring. For Molly, ‘Edward Scissorhands’ is a very special and magical show and a fantastic one to be part of. Having seen and loved the Tim Burton film as a child, she feels it is a great privilege to be able to emulate the enchantment of the film on stage.

Molly says that she can’t wait to dance on the Mayflower stage again – and I can’t wait to see her.

Restoration

For a fascinating look at how theatre costumes are restored, please take a look at our feature in the Winchester Today edition from Monday 29 January.

Southern Brave announce retained players on Deadline Day

Jack ShawJames Vince, Danni Wyatt, Chris Jordan, and Lauren Bell will all be back in action in The Hundred next season with Southern Brave confirming the retention of 18 players on Deadline Day.

Exciting bowling trio Rehan Ahmed, Tymal Mills and Craig Overton are among the names who’ll be back in action for Brave, as well as Chloe Tryon, Maia Bouchier and Freya Kemp.

Southern Brave’s season in the fourth year of The Hundred gets underway on Wednesday 24 July, one of 68 games that promise world class men’s and women’s sporting action, live music, and a host of family-friendly entertainment.

Retained Players

> Southern Brave Women: Danni Wyatt, Chloe Tryon (O), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Freya Kemp, Georgia Adams, Rhianna ➢ Southby, Mary Taylor

> Southern Brave Men: Jofra Archer, James Vince, Chris Jordan, Tymal Mills, Leus du Plooy, Rehan Ahmed, Craig Overton, Finn Allen (O), George Garton, Alex Davies.

in The Hundred, and I can’t wait to get back to playing with the group at Utilita Bowl.”

James Vince says it’s fantastic to be back captaining the Brave this year: “I love playing in front of our home fans on the south coast and we can’t wait for the competition to start.

We’ll be looking to go as far as we can and I think we have retained a strong group this year to help us with that.”

Danni Wyatt also cannot wait: “Winning the competition last year was a fantastic experience and to have retained most of that group to compete this year sets us up really nicely.

I absolutely love playing for Southern Brave, and I love playing

A record 580,000 fans were in attendance across The Hundred last season, including over 300,000 in the women’s competition. The Hundred’s blend of high-quality sport and entertainment saw 41% of all tickets sold to families, 23% to juniors and 30% to women.

DAB+ Radio Update: As you may have read elsewhere, our DAB+ radio service is back on, and we are broadcasting from our new transmitter at Flagstaff Stables, near Crabwood Farm. This follows a considerable but necessary consultation period carried out by the regulator Ofcom throughout January.

You can now enjoy us on the move if you have a DAB+ receiver in your car, or at home on TuneIn and via your smart speaker. Ask Alexa: “Alexa, play Winchester Today.”

Our training days for anyone aged 16-25 and interested in a career in media will be open for applications very soon. This is provided through our training team: media professionals determined to pass on their skills to the media professionals of the future. Initially, the details will be released to schools in the Winchester District. Last time, sessions were sold out. Don’t miss out!

Contact: Thank you for reading the online version of the Winchester Today newspaper. We publish every Monday morning. If you would like to get in contact with us either for editorial or advertising purposes, please ring 01962 458452.

Our email address is news@winchestertoday.co.uk Winchester Today, 47 Southgate Street, Winchester SO23 9EH.

Managing Editor: Kevin Gover. Layout Design: Grace Pradhan. Contributors: David Cradduck, Jon Gripton, Helena Gomm, Beccy Conway, Sophia Sample, Tony Simon, Chrissie Pollard, Matt Richbell, Jan Conway, Jack Shaw, Mark Ponsford, Eleanor Marsden, Jess Garner and Rachel Gover

Project:Alfie150 – supporting the training of young journalists in Winchester since 2012.