Winchester Today 18 March 2024

Fifteen county lines drug-dealing networks have been dismantled and more than 60 arrests made during an intensification week focused on tackling drug related harm and violence in our communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

County Lines means to deal drugs using mobile phones, usually from large cities to towns and rural areas in the UK. Line holders will use runners, often young and vulnerable children, to deliver the drugs. It’s linked to some of the most serious and violent crimes such as human trafficking, modern slavery, and child exploitation.

Rethink sought on NHS delivery proposals in Winchester page 11-13

Local Recycling group page 4 - 5

Great win for City page 11

During the week of action, which ran between Monday 4 March and Sunday 10 March, officers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight relentlessly pursued criminals in an effort to crack down on gangs that bring misery to our communities. They have also been proactive in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from harm, having safeguarded 58 individuals.

The Force-wide policing activity across Hampshire and Isle of Wight resulted in:

The Drug Related Crime and Harm Tactical Lead for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy, ’County Lines is a term used to describe organised criminal networks who move illegal drugs out of bigger cities into smaller towns and cities in the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other forms of “deal line”.

“Last week, across Hampshire and Isle of Wight, our officers targeted these County lines, so as to disrupt drug dealing, prevent the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and to relentlessly target criminals who bring drugs and associated violence to our streets.

“This County lines week, there was a specific national focus around the safeguarding of young people, caught up in the running of drugs for county lines. I can tell you that in this week of action alone, Hampshire and IOW officers safeguarded 58 individuals who were being exploited by these awful individuals. I will say, that whilst the intensification week has focused on specific County Lines and drug networks, we will continue to target those that choose to exploit others, throughout the year, I don’t apologise for this direct and effective tactic.’’

LOCAL RECYCLING GROUP WINS NATIONAL AWARD

Local recycling group, Aluminium Can Recyclers for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, has won a national award for its ongoing sustainability efforts which have seen over nine tonnes of aluminium recycled since September 2019.

The group, run by husband-and-wife duo Janice and David Lipscombe, were presented with a Green Can Award by not-forprofit organisation, Every Can Counts, in recognition of their achievements.

With over 239 members on Facebook and even more within the local community, the group recycles used aluminium cans and other metal items from 40 outdoor and 12 indoor collection points which are located in and around Hampshire.

From houses to pubs, clubs, church halls, and even a vineyard, the team work tirelessly to collect recyclable items from locals, with their efforts also extending to Winchester, Basingstoke, Marchwood and Totton where they support local litter picking teams.

All of the items they collect for recycling, which includes aluminium packaging, electric cables, brass, and copper, are then sold to local recyclers, H&S Metal Recycling Centre and Bryan Hurst Ltd, with all of the profits donated to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

Each month, the group raises up to £700 and overall, they’ve donated £17,400 to the Air Ambulance team, with the funds contributing significantly to the running costs of the helicopters which play an essential part in saving lives.

Janice Lipscombe is the leader of Aluminium Can Recyclers for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance : “We’re so grateful for the support Every Can Counts has given us and couldn’t be prouder of our team after winning the Green Can Award.

“When we first began collecting recyclable items back in September 2019, we were only able to make a £12 donation to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance but since then it’s completely snowballed, with us now giving over 50 times that amount monthly.

“We could never have predicted the success we’ve seen and wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without the help of each and every member of our growing team, including Alison and Martin Kukla, who are a great support in the Winchester area.”

Natalie Russell is Support Worker Engagement Officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance : “The Aluminium Recycling Group have been phenomenal champions of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, raising over £7,000 in 2023 alone.

“Not only do they help us save lives when every minute counts, but they’re protecting our environment, one can at a time. Our patients and their families are grateful for their hard work, and they thoroughly deserve this award.”

Chris Latham-Warde is Programme Manager at Every Can Counts : “The efforts of Janice, David, and the rest of their team in Hampshire are just outstanding. Not only are they making a notable difference to the recycling levels in their area, but they’re also supporting the vital work of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, which is truly inspirational.

“Groups like theirs go to show that every effort – big or small – to recycle can have a lasting positive impact, both within local communities and on the environment.

“Aluminium can be recycled time after time and every empty drink can could be recycled and back on sale as a brand-new can in just 60 days. We can’t wait to see the team continue to make a difference this year and we hope they inspire others across the UK to set-up community-based recycling initiatives of their own.”

The Darkness Inside

As dictated to our staff, Winchester Today’s Managing Editor Kevin Gover continues the story of ‘The Incident’ in the hope that those going through the same thing may understand why things here at Winchester Today have been disrupted somewhat, but also have a laugh and a smile as well as the odd grimace. And receive a little comfort? Quite possibly saying: Oh yes, I can recognise that too…”

And so, we are now on ‘Day Whatever’, because in this whole process I have completely lost all sense of days and time. Believe me that in my main job of being on the radio, that is NOT a good thing. Radio presenters and radio news journalists will all tell you of their built-in clock. They always know what day it is and the timing of the day. It’s essential for the work. Without it, all that is out of the window.

In fact, it was during another mini ‘episode’ last Wednesday that I found myself back at the superb McGill ward at RHCH after concern was shown for me not answering official-type questions properly. Things like answers for questions on official forms that I was getting wrong. Stupid things that are met with a response on the other side of the phone: “That’s not what we have written down here…” – and then you get frustrated by knowing in your head what you want to say – and ultimately realising that yes, they are the ones who are correct. Then followed yet another MRI scan, yet another CT scan, along with a

realisation to inject the dye needed that the staff couldn’t get a ‘good’ vein. They had already tried just one too many times. My word, these doctors and nurses at RHCH are blessed with having SO much patience. Yet I could tell they were probably just as frustrated as I was. Had to use the (splendid) machines that are out in the car park as well. In the rain! Man, it was cold.

Back home, I stand and stare at the place at the top of the main staircase inside where it all happened – and remember how my neighbour Fergus was begging the ambulance to come as the situation continued to get worse. Thankfully I was unconscious in parts at that moment and knew little of what was going on. Having now learned more, I know that he and the paramedics saved my life, I have no doubt.

Friends come down from Bristol on Saturday just to spend a couple of hours with me. I’m so grateful to them for doing that, and tell them as best I can of the updates. None of us can grasp what’s happened. City have a Fab Four-nil home win. Wish I could have been there.

I spend hours writing this update when it should take ten minutes. I cry out loud again at major companies who refuse to treat customers properly like me who simply cannot use computers or screens at the moment and have to call them.: “You can easily access our website and update your information and access answers to your questions there…” Well, no – I can’t. Why don’t they understand?

Most of all though I think of the wonderful caring NHS and staff here in Winchester.

The NHS in Winchester is not broken, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

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

Winchester City 4 Poole Town 0

Saturday 16th March 2024

Report: Matt Richbell

Winchester City were in devastating form as they beat Poole Town 4-0 at the City Ground, recording their first home win on a Saturday this season.

Craig Davis made one change from the side that won at Harrow Borough last month, with Jamie Barron on the bench and Ollie Griggs starting.

City started the game brightly with Max Smith’s cross-cum-shot looping just over the crossbar. Trevor Caborn and IK Hill were both causing the Dolphins defence problems, but it was Josh McCormick who put the hosts in the lead. McCormick drilled a low effort across the box and it escaped the grasps of the Poole Town keeper, Max Evans, and went into the bottom corner.

City were firmly in control and made it 2-0 shortly after the half hour mark. Olly Balmer delivered a corner that was met on the volley by Jordan Rose, and the former AFC Bournemouth youngster fired home, with his effort again escaping the grasp of Evans.

After half-time, Poole started the second period brightly but were thwarted by Luke Cairney, former Town keeper, in the City goal.

The elusive third goal did arrive, but it came through Olly Balmer (below), who fired into the bottom corner capitalising on a defensive error.

Winchester City continued to dominate proceedings and an opportunity for a fourth goal arrived when Declan Rose was penalised for a foul in the box. Rose was given his second booking and subsequently a red card for the foul, and Sam Ashton, who had recently come off the bench, stepped up and saw his spot kick well saved.

Ashton did eventually score his first goal for the club, however, when he raced clear on goal late in the game and fired the ball past the onrushing keeper to score his first City goal and wrap up the points for the home side.

City are next in action on Thursday night, with an away game against Plymouth Parkway.

Parkway’s game was postponed on Saturday.

The

Lib Dems In Winchester have made their stance on the new proposals for NHS services in Winchester much clearer. Here is a copy of the open letter and opinion sent to the local trust

Mag gie MacIsaac, CEO Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board

Alex Whitfield, CEO Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Subject: Ongoing work to improve NHS ser vices for Hampshire

Dear Mag gie and Alex,

Danny Chambers

Parliamentary Candidate

Winchester Liberal Democrats

danny@dannychambers.org.uk

11th March 2024

I would like to express my thanks to your colleagues for taking the time to meet us at the Winchester Liberal Democrat office to discuss the new acute hospital proposal for Hampshire, which is currently in public consultation. I have also personally attended two of the listening sessions organised by Hampshire Together.

Over the last few weeks, my team and I have examined the proposals in depth. In addition to attending the listening events and Winchester City Council scrutiny session, we have spoken to many interested parties and individuals. In my capacity as a parliamentary candidate, I have spoken to hundreds of people on their doorsteps and access to local NHS ser vices, including A&E ser vices, are brought up more often than any other issue

Most people state their preferred option would be to invest in and modernise our current Royal Hampshire County Hospital (RHCH), including our A&E and consultant-led maternity departments. Your consultation is currently asking people to choose between building a new hospital in Basingstoke, or near Junction 7 of the M3 with a new clinical model for acute treatment. Under this public consultation there is no option for the new hospital to be built in Winchester to ser ve our growing and ageing population.

After much consideration, and with conversations with local clinicians, my position is that we should

consultation there is no option for the new hospital to be built in Winchester to ser ve our growing and ageing population

After much consideration, and with conversations with local clinicians, my position is that we should retain an A&E department in Winchester, along with a consultant-led maternity department. This is not a knee-jerk reaction to the potential for downgrading of ser vices in Winchester I believe this could be achieved while also providing better healthcare for the whole of Hampshire.

There have been some very significant and unanticipated changes outside of your control since the locations of the potential new hospital at either Basingstoke or Junction 7 of the M3 were proposed:

1) Frimley Park Hospital has been prioritised for rebuilding due to the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) - with the potential of a new hospital being built nearer to Basingstoke.

2) In addition to the current RHCH site, three potential sites for a new hospital in Winchester have become available since the site options analysis work was completed in 2021.

3) The Government announced in May 2023 that your currently unfunded project is to be delayed by 2 years until 2032.

Together, these developments completely change the options available when considering the restructuring of healthcare ser vices in Hampshire.

The need to completely rebuild Frimley Park Hospital due to the presence of RAAC is an unexpected challenge for the NHS, but provides an opportunity to improve and join-up NHS ser vices in the region

Although Frimley Park is not one of HHFT ’s sites, creating two very similar facilities in such close proximity s eems to make little financial or clinical sense, particularly given the emphasis that your proposals place on resolving the current duplication of ser vices, staff and equipment in Basingstoke and Winchester. Basingstoke and Frimley Park are very well connected along the M3, so it would make sense to restructure Basingstoke to work with Frimley Park when it comes to delivering A&E and certain other ser vices. The location would ser ve the region around Basingstoke very well, meaning that a new hospital would be better placed further south in Winchester

Locations for a new hospital in Winchester include the current site of the Sir John Moore Barracks, which met your site suitability criteria as a location of a new hospital, but was dismissed because at the time it was “not available.” However, we are now aware that the future of this site is still undecided and it is available.

The Sir John Moore Barracks site has the added advantage of already being government propertysaving the many millions of pounds required to buy new land at Dummer, near Junction 7 of the M3.

There are other sites that are also worthy of consideration in Winchester, including Bushfield Camp and the Hampshire County Council owned M3 highways contractor ’s compound opposite, which is again publicly-owned.

All of this sug gests the need to update the property analysis, using a land requirement benchmarked against other New Hospital Programme schemes. If these sites are not suitable, the reasons should be clearly explained.

In summary, linking Frimley Park and Basingstoke and then building a new hospital in Winchester has the

There are other sites that are also worthy of consideration in Winchester, including Bushfield Camp and the Hampshire County Council owned M3 highways contractor ’s compound opposite, which is again publicly-owned

All of this sug gests the need to update the property analysis, using a land requirement benchmarked against other New Hospital Programme schemes If these sites are not suitable, the reasons should be clearly explained.

In summary, linking Frimley Park and Basingstoke and then building a new hospital in Winchester has the advantages over building a new hospital at Junction 7 of the M3 by:

● Reducing travel time to an A&E for people north of Basingstoke and south of Winchester

● Being significantly better value for money for the taxpayer

● Keeping consultant-led A&E and consultant-led maternity ser vices in Winchester

● Reducing pressure on the ambulance ser vice by reducing travel times to hospital in an emergency for people from Andover, Romsey, Chandler ’s Ford and Eastleigh and the Meon Valley

● Avoiding creating extra pressure and footfall on University Hospital Southampton and Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth

● Taking into account the climate emergency and local environment by utilising a brownfield site, and minimising journeys.

For all the reasons above, I urge you to consider th e feasibility of building our new hospital on a site in Winchester, with particular consideration to the site at Sir John Moore Barracks.

I am also concerned that the implications of a centralised acute hospital on South Central Ambulance Ser vice NHS Foundation Trust have not been included or explained in this consultation. It is essential to maintain public confidence that the ambulance ser vice has adequate staffing , vehicles and infrastructure to cope with the multiple additional transfers the proposed clinical model will generate, and I urge you to include their financial requirements in any proposals going forward to ensure the highest level of patient safety possible.

My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I would like to work with you to help this exciting project onto a pathway towards success, and ensure that we transform healthcare delivery in Hampshire for the decades ahead

Your team has consistently said that you are open to and will welcome all sug gestions and I trust this proposal will be given due consideration before a final decision is made

Yours sincerely,

Dr Danny Chambers MRCVS Parliamentary Candidate, Winchester Liberal Democrats

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.

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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!

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Sarker Danceworks

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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: Edward Scissorhands Adventures, Mayflower Theatre Southampton 13 March 2024

Review: Helena Gomm

Anyone familiar with Tim Burton’s 1990 film Edward Scissorhands will recognise the essential elements: a sparepart surgery boy created by a grieving inventor trying to replicate his dead son but left unfinished, with multiple scissor blades instead of hands; a creepy gothic mansion on a hill above a smug community in small-town America; local residents who can be tolerant and accepting, but only if not pushed too far; a girl meets scissor-boy romance …

In the hands of Matthew Bourne, this all becomes a fast-paced and mesmerising ballet. With Bourne’s characteristic focus on storytelling, every dancer’s every gesture and facial expression has something to say to us, so much so that a repeat visit to the show is probably necessary to get every nuance – sometimes it is difficult to know where to look, as you are acutely aware that if you concentrate on one character or the action in one part of the stage, you are going to miss a whole lot taking place beyond even your peripheral vision. For this is very much an ensemble piece with several scenes where almost the entire cast of characters is on stage. And what characters they are!

The good folk of Hope Springs include a range of ‘mum, dad and two kids’ families: the kindly Boggs family who take Edward in when mum Peg finds him rifling through the bins (one of several advantages of a fistful of blades), dull, lawn-mowing George Monroe and his cougar of a wife who attempts to seduce Edward and ends up riding a vibrating washing machine; the Uptons, a political power couple whose boorish jock son is dating Kim Boggs, the Evercreeches, a soberly dressed religious family whose children are rapidly turning into goths. There is even a same-sex couple, the Gaibrights with a new baby.

The addition of two gay dads may be anachronistic for 1950s America, but this is, after all, a fantasy and it helps to establish that Hope Springs does have a track record for tolerance. The town’s reaction to Edward is not a blackand-white affair. They may be a bit suspicious at first, but their instinctive reaction is not to reach for the torches and pitchforks. When the Boggs family hold a barbecue to welcome Edward and introduce him to the town, everyone shows up, even the Evercreeches. More advantages to his unusual hand arrangements are soon revealed, as he produces perfectly barbecued morsels on the ends of his blades and easily turns his hand to toasting marshmallows.

More is to come, when Edward exhibits a handy talent for topiary and hairdressing and soon several residents –and their dogs – are sporting zany hairdos. He is also a dab hand at ice sculpture, his ice angel bearing a striking resemblance to Kim Boggs, with whom he is falling in love.

Edward’s downfall is orchestrated by Jim Upton who is jealous of his budding relationship with Kim. Jim and his pals ply him with alcohol, making him so drunk at the annual Christmas ball that he loses control of his blades and an accident occurs. This is too much for the townsfolk and they turn against him with ultimately tragic results.

Liam Mower excels as Edward, perfectly capturing his initial terror at having to interact with other people, and then his growing confidence as he learns to emulate their behaviour, gains acceptance in the community and finds a place amongst them as topiarist and hairdresser. His movements are at once both ungainly and balletic, a striking combination, particularly impressive in the drunk scene. It is also a delight to see his facility with the flashing blades: he uses them very effectively to portray his emotions and manages to perform a final dance with Kim involving several lifts without them getting in the way.

There are no weak links in this cast; it is evident that everyone is having enormous fun playing their part in the telling of the story, and they all display complete focus from beginning to end.

The show is also stunning visually. The sunny little town with its houses whose windows light up is particularly charming and contrasts well with the gothic gloom of the mansion where Edward is created and the chilling cemetery where his namesake lies buried. A range of semi-transparent screens ensures that scene changes are swift and seamless, and the lighting is superbly atmospheric.

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

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