Winchester Railway Station - New Move On Safety?

There could soon be a positive outcome on safety to and from Winchester's railway station, as outlined in the current issue of Winchester Today. 

MP Steve Brine hosted Rail Minister, Stephen Hammond, this morning (Monday 9 December) to view the various works taking place at Winchester railway station and follow up on some key issues raised at a recent public meeting in the city.

Mr Hammond, who grew up in Chandler’s Ford, was able to see for himself the work being done to introduce a new decked car park at the station and the footbridge being constructed as part of the ‘Access for All’ scheme. 

He was also able to join discussions Mr Brine is having with South West Trains around late night safety for travellers, including the access road leading to Andover Road, which was highlighted as a key safety concern at the local MP's recent Ask SWT session.

Steve says he welcomes the visit: "There is significant investment taking place in Winchester right now so it was important to have the Minister visit and check on progress. 

"It was really useful also to brief him on my recent meeting with South West Trains and local rail users and for him to hear what looks like good news on our work to improve late night safety, especially for women, in and around the station."

The Minister heard how South West Trains and Network Rail are working with Hunts Foodstuffs, who own the land, to create a safe pedestrian walkway from the car park out onto Andover Road.  Constituents have told the MP they feel unsafe using the route which is pitch black after dark.

Steve says the discussions will continue: "A further meeting is planned between South West Trains, its contractors and Winchester City Council in January to agree the details and we're very hopeful the work can be completed before the new decked car park opens in March.  I will be staying very close to this one."

The group also discussed the possibility of Winchester Station being staffed beyond midnight in future. At present all shifts end at 10pm.

Me Hammond says the year-on-year increases in demand makes it important that investment keeps coming forward: "These seem like much-needed schemes.  I was really impressed with the benefits these projects will bring for Winchester.  

"Steve has already briefed me on his ASK SWT event and I know he’s working hard on various issues... such as addressing the valid concerns local travellers have around their safety.” 

Picture: Steve Brine MP, Stephen Hammond MP with Andy Mundy (SWT Project Manager) and Winchester Station Manager, Danny Maile.

Another Triumph for The Cheriton Players

'An Inspector Calls' - The Cheriton Players, Cheriton Village Hall, Thursday 5th December 2013.

The fact that the Cheriton Players' production of 'An Inspector Calls' sold out more than 3 weeks in advance of curtain up is testament to the hard work that the society puts in to every production.

The Players themselves describe it as: "A fantastic situation to be in... showing they have a growing, loyal audience."

Because of its moral content, the play is well-known to many people who have studied it at school. In simple terms, an entire family is involved in the mysterious demise of someone else through various means. It's very cleverly written. Yes, if you haven't seen it, you can probably guess the ending well before the actual ending.

But, as the Inspector - David Cradduck - told me, because of the play being so well-known, they simply have to be word perfect. He is, of course - you would expect nothing less!

Yes, the play is a 'classic' and many people want to see it - but you still have to deliver. And boy, did the Players deliver!

Mike Cornter (Arthur Birling) shows yet again that these kind of parts were written especially for him many years ago!

I simply cannot believe that Jules Anderson has only been acting since 2007 (and then after being press ganged into taking a small part) - as this is the finest I have seen him. As Gerald Croft, he has the chance to reflect on his own errors. He was dominant near the front of the stage for a significant amount of time; he gazes into the distance, trying to explain away his actions. Such was the attention on him, I swear you could have heard a pin drop in Alresford.

On the night I attended, I was aware that Tracey Anderson (Sheila Birling) was not well. Had I not known, I would not have realised; she showed her usual bright personality which always seems to shine through.

However, by the Friday, Tracey had to pull out altogether. Step forward Rebecca Leadley - who's only just joined the Players! By all accounts, she proved that in a crisis, the show goes on. With 45 minutes' notice!

Credit too to Charlie Hellard and Helena Gomm who make up the rest of the family as Eric and Sybil - Eric who seems to love the bottle, and Sybil who ends up in complete despair and disbelief at what's going on around her.

There aren't any set changes; we are all transported just to the dining room of a house in the North Midlands in 1912. The backstage crew could therefore take their time in creating something that looked beautiful. The set is a credit to the design and construction team. As are the costumes - simply beautiful, accompanied by plenty of sparkling jewellery!

Pauline Cornter's direction is well-paced, and brings the best out of everyone.

A triumph then, in more ways than one. I loved it. Congratulations and 5 stars. KG

God Bless Us, Every One!

God Bless Us, Every One! David Cradduck awards 4 stars out of 5 for the production of 'Scrooge' at the Mayflower in Southampton - just don't take it too seriously...

Scrooge, Mayflower, Tuesday 12 November, 2013

It might be a step too far to imagine Charles Dickens turning in his grave, given the plot of A Christmas Carol and the moral story contained therein.

But, thinking about it, he wasn’t averse to cashing in on Christmas, by all accounts – publishing the story on 17th December and clocking up 5,000 sales by Christmas Eve.

Well, Christmas arrived early at The Mayflower in Southampton. A high-budget, slick, no-scrimping, big band, Broadway style version of this much loved story came to town with the ageless Tommy Steele heading the cast as Scrooge.

The packed audience groaned but laughed at - and with - the veteran performer’s wisecracks which were more Tommy Steele than Ebenezer Scrooge.

The children’s story book picture of a Dickensian Christmas scene, created by designer Paul Farnsworth, was colourful, noisy and atmospheric.

As the complex scene changes unfolded with desks and beds sliding in, doors and inns dropping down and special effects galore to feast our senses on, the whole show was a set designer’s dream.

The trouble for me – and I hasten to add that this was a personal slant - was, despite being a great personal fan of Tommy Steele (I had his 45rpm single of ‘A Little White Bull’ and wore it out through overplaying) and knowing that he has played this role many times before, I never actually believed in him as white-haired Ebenezer. Only as the white-dentured, forever young, cheeky Cockney chappy, Tommy Steele - however hard I tried.

I think part of the problem was that his accent swung dramatically between East End and West End and the characterization of such a well known character cannot afford to be anything less than 100%.

It has to be glowering, mean and unbelievably cruel to start and a truly reformed and lovable character by the end. Tommy was always Tommy for me.

The rest of the cast were fortunate in not being so well known, perhaps with the exception of Hi-de-Hi’s Barry Howard as Marley, and faithfully stuck to their characters like glue, thank goodness.

There were some really touching scenes of the Cratchett family’s and nephew Harry’s Christmases, and the crowd/chorus scenes were jolly, well choreographed and entirely convincing.

Halcro Johnston as Mr Fezziwig stole the show for me with his pure Dickens-style idiosyncratic appearance and antics, along with Sarah Joyce as Mrs Cratchett.

An imposing James Head played the larger-than-life Ghost of Christmas Present and, of course, young Tiny Tim - whose voice was a lot clearer to me than some of the main characters, including Scrooge.

The music, by Leslie Bricusse and directed by Stuart Pedlar was beautifully played but totally over-engineered and, frankly, could have fitted into any number of big musicals. The sound balance wasn’t perfect and I occasionally had trouble picking out lyrics amongst the fine, loud and rounded orchestration. I yearned for a little more light and shade and mused at what the original author might have made of it all?

Paul Kieve’s illusions were, of course, impressive; there were one or two moments when you knew something scary was going to happen but they still took you by delightful surprise when they did. Magic is still magic after all.

Nick Ritchings' superb lighting helped with the illusion, and choreography by Lisa Kent completed the colourful, busy imagery. So perhaps my gripes with the overall effect are probably more about me being more grumpy than Scrooge.

Clearly this well polished, big budget show entertained everyone of all ages, brought a smile to everyone’s faces and will be a huge hit, especially with those who like their Christmas to be traditional Victorian theatre with a large dollop of glitz and cheeky humour.

As long as you don’t take it too seriously, this old story of morals, mixed with 21st century showtime is sure to be a great favourite.

Until Saturday - then playing at: 17 Nov - 7 Dec 2013 Grand Theatre Leeds
 9 - 15 Dec 2013 Broadway Theatre Peterborough.
16 - 21 Dec 2013 Opera House Blackpool
23 Dec 2013 - 4 Jan 2014 Brighton Centre
6 -11 Jan 2014 Venue Cymru Llandudno

REVIEW: Slava's Snowshow @Mayflower

REVIEW: Slava's Snowshow, Mayflower Theatre, Friday 4th October 2013 - Kevin Gover gives 5 stars to an astonishing performance which is sheer magical wonder.

When one of our staff members, Dilyara, heard that Slava was coming to Southampton, she could hardly believe it. Dilyara is Russian, as is Slava. Everyone but everyone in Russia knows about Slava's character Assissiaï, about the yellow clown, about the blue canary, about leaping up and down: all this was an essential part of university life back in the late 80s and early 90s.

Little could Dilyara believe that part of her youth would be in Southampton in 2013. Here on stage are all the elements of those early TV appearances in Moscow in a huge stage show. Not an easy task, because some of those sketches always were intimate. You are at one point sharing the loneliness of the clown and genuine, poignant moments - at other times roaring with laughter with the whole team of clowns on stage.

You never knew what was to come next. A man next to us was heard to say:"This is weird!" Yes it was. What appeared to be aimless wandering around the stage was in reality beautifully choreographed wandering. Everything had a point. Because there's little dialogue, the show is universal around the world. Sydney, Moscow, Barcelona: awards have been stacked up across the globe.

As a whole, I share with one of the comments in the programme, that this show was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in a theatre - although I had thought this long before I saw those printed words.

As I write this, I am STILL laughing about the spider. You will see this show one day, so I won't spoil it for you by telling you what happens. I think about the mind of Slava. It is running at genius level.

I also loved the 'farewell' - the goodbye to a lover which is performed with interaction between the clown and a coat on a hanger - where the clown splits himself in two and plays both parts by slipping an arm into the coat. Not easy to do, and even harder to do it well.

The snowstorm scene (pictured) was terrifying and totally wonderful in equal measure. it was quite simply one of the best things I have ever seen in a theatre. Ever. 

Afterwards, Dilyara managed to speak to the man who had entertained her in the Ural Mountains from Moscow, via the telly. She asked him if she was a little old to have her picture taken with him as she looked around and found herself alongside all the other children who were patiently queuing: "Not at all," was the reply. "We all have the child within."

Winchester's MP - One of the Most Powerful Visits

Winchester's MP Steve Brine says a visit to Tower House Horses was "one of the most powerful" that he has ever made. Winchester Today Home Page >>>

During the visit to the equine assisted learning centre at Micheldever Station, Steve presented 13 year old Tia Yeates from West End with a certificate to mark the achievement of an NOCN (National Open College Network) Unit. 

Director of Tower House Horses, Susie Little, says Tia deserves to be very proud: "This is the third Unit she has completed using our herd as her teachers, and she has been a star learner.”

Steve agreed and says it was inspiring: "The results they achieve for clients speak for themselves. I am committed to ensure as wide an audience as possible hears about this facility and understands its potential.”

Equine assisted learning is proving beneficial for a broad range of user groups, from young people who find traditional education environments challenging, to adults with substance misuse issues, depression or anxiety.

Through guided activities they learn to recognise the impact of their behaviour on the horses, which drives changes in their own internal state. The result is greater calmness, improved confidence and the ability to better manage one’s emotions and behaviour.

Pictured from left to right: Susie Little, Steve Brine MP & Tia Yeates, with two members of the Tower House Horses herd.

Fiddler Plays My Tune

REVIEW: David Cradduck says Fiddler on the Roof at the Mayflower is simply a must-see. Tuesday 10th September, 2013. Winchester Today Home Page

There are some shows you go to see because you want to, there are some you feel you should see, a few you politely sit through but wish you were elsewhere and others you squirm through and regret wasting your time on.

Well, I have to say that Music&Lyric’s Fiddler on the Roof, at The Mayflower in Southampton and which will be touring the UK for the next few months, doesn't fit into any of these categories. 

It was absolutely stunning from start to finish and, although I wasn't sure it was going to be my cup of tea (musical shows of this kind are not normally top of my list of favourites) I was swept along by sheer professionalism, skill and entertainment at its best.

As one of Broadway’s longest running musicals, most people are familiar with many of the songs from Fiddler: 'If I were a Rich Man' has to be a catchy ditty that most people, even youngsters, will recognise. Topol made the song famous in the 1971 movie and he too became a legend. 

Likewise, those of a certain generation will remember the 70s TV cop drama series Starsky and Hutch, starring David Soul (who later became a crooning pop star) and Paul Michael Glaser. This dynamic duo, though tame by today's standards, were all American, slightly maverick, good guys who always got their man. 

Certainly not the kind of characters you would place in a Jewish settlement in a hostile Russia, you would think, but even before the cult TV series hit our screens, a then 27 year old Paul Michael Glaser had played the character of revolutionary Perchik in the same movie that Topol made his own. Not many people know that.

So what has all this to do with the present production of Fiddler, directed and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing's Mr Bad Guy judge, Craig Revel Horwood? Well, that young Glaser, now in his late 60s, has come full circle and taken on the lead role of Tevye, the long suffering dairyman gradually coming to terms with a changing world which threatens to rob him of his daughters, his home and even his Jewish faith.

He has made the role his own, with the demeanour, singing voice and acting skills to totally convince us that he really is the man he is playing. Rarely offstage, he could make the show a one man band, he's that good (though on occasions his accent was so thick that I had trouble picking up a few words).

But to be honest, he doesn't need to. This is very much a team effort - and what a team! The cast of 19, often doubling parts, is truly amazing. Casting must have been a nightmare – where do you get such multi-talented performers? It is one thing to be able to act, sing and dance at the same time. But this is the first time I have seen a whole cast doing all three and providing all the orchestration into the bargain and on the move.

There were violins, viola, double bass, keyboards, percussion instruments galore, saxophones, trumpets, flute, guitars, clarinets and more but no sign of sheet music, conductor or other stuff you normally associate with unseen musicians in the orchestra pit. The cast sang, danced, played (sometimes swapping instruments) and acted their way through this moving, funny, poignant show without so much as a note out of place.

Occasionally the instruments looked slightly modern and incongruous and it's not everyday that you sit down to a family meal with one of the family sporting a viola - but somehow it didn't look out of place at all. All the musicians played beautifully but none more so than Jennifer Douglas as the Fiddler, whose ability to blend in with the background was matched by her amazing stage presence and almost ballet-like movements.

The lighting was superb. The sound balance was spot on (no mean feat with all those instruments playing live and moving around the stage rather than being in one spot). The set, with its centrepiece, a revolving Dickensian-looking topsy turvy house that opened up like a doll's house to reveal an equally intriguing quaint interior, was brilliant. It wouldn’t have looked out of place on the set of Oliver! – though it was instantly warm and friendly as well as being atmospheric and curious. How they pack that lot up and transport it from venue to venue I haven't a clue.

All credit must go to Craig Revel Horwood for his direction and choreography (I shall never scoff at his judgements on Strictly again, he does know what he’s talking about) who also made a brief appearance at the curtain call. Somebody should have handed him a tambourine, he was the only one not playing a musical instrument. His vision, coupled with Sarah Travis’s musical direction, ensures a very special evening out.

Fiddler on the Roof runs at The Mayflower until Saturday, when it packs up and moves on to Nottingham and a further twenty venues, finishing in April 2014. If you can get to see it, I suggest you do. More tour details at http://www.fiddlerontheroof.co.uk/#tour

Medieval skeletons give clues to origin of leprosy.

Medieval skeletons excavated by the University of Winchester are apparently giving clues to the origin of leprosy.

(Archive picture courtesy of the University of Winchester)

Archaeologists at the University have contributed to a new piece of research which gives unique insights into the genetic origins of leprosy.

 

The research, published by Science magazine, is a genome-wide comparison of medieval and modern Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium that causes leprosy.

University archaeologists Dr Simon Roffey and Dr Katie Tucker helped author the research and supplied the UK medieval skeletons that underwent the DNA comparison techniques.

The skeletons were excavated from the hospital of St Mary Magdalen in Winchester, a site that the Department of Archaeology has been extensively researching since 2007.

“Our work at St Mary Magdalen has focused on the buildings, burials and artefacts with the aim of studying the history and development of the former medieval leprosy hospital,” says Dr Roffey. “Now our work is feeding into the scientific origins of leprosy and as a result we are finding out a lot more about the disease.”

Dr Roffey and Dr Tucker’s analysis indicates skeletal evidence of leprosy in over 85 per cent of the burials found at St Mary Magdalen, and this is the largest percentage recorded in Britain.

Dr Roffey says the location is key: “I believe St Mary Magdalen is home to one of Britain’s earliest known hospitals, founded in the mid to late 11th Century, and that it was a pioneering hospital created as a response to the sudden spread of leprosy in England.

“This idea is further supported by the genome research that has revealed that the disease spread during the time of the Crusades. I think it might also be linked to the increased popularity of pilgrimage, especially to the Holy Land, during this period.”

The archaeological work at the site is led by Dr Roffey and Dr Phil Marter, and the site is used as a training excavation for undergraduate and postgraduate archaeology students studying at the University.

Winchester Cathedral Alive With Flowers

A beautiful yet simple display has brought Winchester Cathedral alive with flowers.

The Creative Director Angela Turner told Winchester Today that she's tried to create 'Daisy Fever': "As soon as you walk into the Cathedral you'll see the hanging designs in a simple archway."


"Then you'll see the natural meadow area!"

Winchester Cathedral Alive With Flowers - Creative, yet Simple

Angela told us that she did not want to cram the Cathedral full of flowers, but enhance the whole building: "I wanted to be inspired by the English garden, and bring some of the outside inside.

"But it was very important not to cram the building. That was the main thing I wanted to do; not fill every window ledge, but be creative.

"In some flower festivals they seem to have flowers on every window ledge. We haven't done that. It's simple. That includes the nave; it's such an imposing building anyway, but we've looked at how we could do it properly, reflecting things like the vault."

Angela says she is particularly pleased with the colour scheme of yellow and white, as you can see above: "It's very refreshing."


Angela says she's also had the help from people belonging to local flower arranging groups through NAFAS, and didn't exactly have much difficulty in finding 300 volunteers from throughout the Wessex and Jersey area!

The Symphony of Flowers runs until 5pm Sunday 16 June.

More details

Hear Angela speak about her displays

University of Winchester Building Wins Major Award

The University of Winchester has won a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Award for the South region for its new St Alphege Learning and Teaching Building.

RIBA Awards are said to be the most rigorously judged awards for architectural excellence.

The St Alphege Learning and Teaching Building is a £6.5 million development on the King Alfred Campus to create a high quality dedicated teaching space to meet the needs of students. 

It includes eight state-of-the-art lecture rooms and a mezzanine floor with open access PCs and social learning areas.

St Alphege is a low energy building with innovative eco-friendly features including a ‘living’ roof, absence detection lighting, acoustic panelling, natural ventilation and thermal modelling.

There is a glass atrium linking St Alphege to the St Edburga building, which was extensively refurbished as part of the project.

Professor Elizabeth Stuart is Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester, and says the University believes that excellent students and dedicated staff deserve state of the art, beautiful facilities: “St Alphege embodies this commitment as well as our passion for the sustainability. We’re delighted to have won this award.”

The building was designed by Design Engine Architects Ltd in Winchester, who also created the University’s The Stripe, the University Centre and the Performing Arts Studios.

The St Alphege Learning and Teaching Building was officially opened by HRH The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO earlier this year.

This is the University’s second South region RIBA Award; the University Centre won in October 2008.

Additionally the University won a National Civic Trust Award for design excellence and was a finalist in the British Construction Industry’s ‘Building Project of the Year (up to £3m)’ category for its Performing Arts Studios.

As part of RIBA’s Love Architecture Festival 2013, Design Engine Architects Ltd is providing a guided tour of the University’s buildings designed by the practice, including St Alphege.

The event takes place on 29 June; for more information email jamessalman@designengine.co.uk

Review: Two Gentlemen of Verona - Debut Nationwide Tour Triumph

Review: Two Gentlemen Of Verona – Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory (Bristol) – Theatre Royal, Winchester 11 June 2013 (Opening Night) ****4/5

Two Gentlemen of Verona is widely regarded as being William Shakespeare’s first play. Perhaps it’s not his strongest, as he was laying the groundwork for other work - but that’s no reason not to produce it.

This was a good production too, with fine acting, singing, direction, expressions and moments of fun which only added to the story.

 

I particularly enjoyed the performances of Jack Bannell and Piers Wehner who play Valentine and Proteus (above - Pic: Farrows Creative) and of Dorothea Myer-Bennett, a delightful Julia.

As for the story – well it’s a tale that seems familiar of boy-meets-girl but who may actually be in love with someone else; of love found, lost then found again.

But it also has a dark side at the end; it’s also a tale of the extraordinary bond that exists between friends, although that bond may be stretched to its limit. How can a friend forgive and forget, no matter how bad the crime was going to be? 

The production was polished and the actors well-dressed; an elegant style of early 20th century costume.

The musicians were fine too and even drew enthusiastic applause as they played before the play had actually started and when the audience was still coming in.

There was a moment when I thought the entire company would be upstaged by the dog who features in much of the play. But I dare say that you’ll have to go a long way to meet an animal who is so well-behaved and seems to know the play off by heart, Well done Lollio.

This is the SATTF’s first nationwide tour, and it was a welcome visit to Winchester by a very talented company.

The Tobacco Factory has been urged to get out and tour; as the Bristol Old Vic’s Emma Stenning put it: “Given the paucity of such work at this scale on the touring circuit, it’s insane that it’s only Bristol audiences who get to see it.”

All credit to Artistic Director Andrew Hilton.

Let’s hope they come back with one of the ‘biggies’ once word gets round Winchester just how good they are.

Even Winchester's Flowerbeds Get In On The Cycling Act

People coming in to Winchester at Bar End can now see exactly how much cycling in the city is close  to our hearts.

Winchester City Council’s landscape team has planted a special bedding scheme on the roundabout at the main Bar End entrance to the city celebrating Winchester CycleFest 2013.

The Winchester Cycle Fair takes place on Sunday 23 June and the Winchester Criterium and Family Cycle Day on Sunday 11 August.  Together the events are known as Winchester CycleFest 2013.

Vicki Weston is one of those responsible for traffic and transport in the city and says the CycleFest is a great initiative: "It's a fantastic opportunity for residents to get involved in cycling across the city and also to explore the beautiful national cycling route. The flowerbeds are an imaginative way for us to market the events to people visiting the city.”

Race Organiser Chris Dawson is from the Criterium from Cycle Tours UK and says there's plenty to look forward to: “The Criterium is fun-filled and fast-paced. With cyclists roaring through the city centre streets at up to 30mph it will be a great event.”

The Cycle Fair will transform the Broadway into a hive of cycling activity and is a free event. Everything from roller-racing, mountain-bike demonstrations and a cycle treasure hunt will be on offer throughout the afternoon from 12 noon to 4pm.

The Winchester Criterium race preceded by a Family Cycle Day will take place on Sunday 11 August from 12noon to 9pm. 

The highlight will be the biggest all-inclusive Criterium cycle race in the region this year. Staged in the city centre from 4pm to 8pm, the event is classed as the cycling equivalent to Formula 1 as it is fast and furious with lots of thrills and spills. 

There will be eight races throughout the evening and many thousands of spectators are expected to line the route.

Both events will see a Bike Bus leading cyclists along the national cycling route, across the beautiful Hockley Viaduct to the South Park and Ride cycle track.

Photograph shows (left to right): Amanda Ford (Winchester City Council), Sarah Walker (Hampshire County Council), Marcus Swalwell (Rotary Winchester), Graham Dawson (Cycle Tours UK), Cllr Vicki Weston (Winchester City Council), Chris Peach (Winchester City Council) and Chris Dawson (Cycle Tours UK) at the CycleFest flowerbed.

Huge Boost for Winchester Uni

On our Winchester Today Twitter account we see no end of messages  from students about how excited they are to be coming to Winchester to study at the University of Winchester.

Many more tweet their sadness at the end of their three years because they have had such a good time.

Perhaps it should be no surprise then to learn that the University has risen a whopping 21 places in the newly-published Guardian University Guide 2014.

Winchester is now in 66th place in the guide's University League Table.

The University's Law, Education and Business provision also climbed the University Subject League Tables, showing commendable improvements on last year's rankings.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester, Professor Elizabeth Stuart, says she's very pleased: "The University of Winchester is constantly striving to enhance the quality of its student experience. We are naturally delighted when this is reflected in the rankings. It is a testament to the passion and dedication of our staff."

The University plays host to 6,400 students studying a wide selction of courses from Foundation right through to Masters and Research degrees.

Winchester River Park Refurbishment 'Still An Option'

A report on the provision of leisure facilities in Winchester shows a brand-new building at North Walls or Bar End could cost anywhere between £25m and £30m - and led to officials indicating to Winchester Today that refurbishment at River Park "still remains an option".

Various key stakeholders were asked to contribute to the report, including DC Leisure, Sport England, Hampshire and IOW County Sports Partnership, Winchester BID, Winchester Disability Sports Forum, Winchester Sport and Physical Activity Alliance and the University of Winchester.

River Park Leisure Centre, pictured today with a steady stream of visitors (4 June 2013)

The 114-page report was commissioned from Continuum in January to help the City Council come to a decision on future leisure needs.

It examines in detail the local market, changes in population and participation, what sports clubs plan to do, and the type of leisure centre best suited to address them.

Within just a few seconds this morning, it was clear to us just how used the facilities are; we could see a steady stream of visitors through the front door, the keep-fit step classes were absolutely packed, and the outside tennis courts were also full of people.

Various options for a new-build leisure centre were considered by the consultants. Different sizes of swimming pool and combinations of gymnastics facilities, tennis courts and health and fitness suites were also looked at.

It was not part of the consultants' brief to make a judgement as to whether the Council should provide a new centre or refurbish the existing building.

However, it does provide indicative costs which take account of the borrowing that the Council would have to do to finance the construction.

The cost for improved facilities AND repairs on the existing building could be around £8m. Essential repairs only to the roof (pictured below) and plant at the existing site have been estimated at close to £3m.

It doesn't take long to spot signs of wear and tear

The report also shows that many people feel that the facility is "showing its age."

But it's also clear that despite its age, the building is still used by many people. In fact, although membership has dropped between 2008 and 2013 there were just short of 480,000 visits in 2008. Just five years later in 2013, that figure is now up to well over 530,000 visits.

The amount of surplus cash left over each year after depreciation is also up, despite overall income falling.


Swimming facilities - one of the strongest performing areas

The report shows that the site is clearly operating in a financially sustainable manner - with key income coming from two areas - health and fitness, and the swimming facility (pictured above).

Leader of Winchester City Council, Cllr Keith Wood, says the prime aim is to ensure that leisure facilities will continue to be provided for the city's residents: "There are currently over 500,000 visits to the centre annually. This report gives us some valuable information as to what can be provided and the costs of delivery.

"The next stage will be for us to look at the costs and benefits of the different options, including refurbishment of the existing centre, in the light of the many competing service pressures on our budgets. I want to move quickly to a clear decision and hope to indicate how we propose to proceed in July."

You can look at the full report on the Winchester City Council website. (You can see the PDF download facility on the right-hand side of the page.)

Strewth! Priscilla's Desert Trip is Real Bonzer!

REVIEW: Priscilla Queen of the Desert - Mayflower Theatre, Wednesday 29 May, 2013

I don't think I have ever been to a theatre where people started clapping along to a song within three seconds of the show starting. But such was the great atmosphere within the Mayflower, you just knew that you were going to be swept along; the audience was onside right from the off. 

I heard laughter throughout the audience from both men and women alike. This show is bold, bright, colourful, excessive to the very excesses of excess - and most definitely NOT sophisticated! 

The story is pretty basic... three men in drag travel from Sydney to Alice Springs so that they can fulfil their dreams, do a show and so that one of them can meet up with his estranged son. There are adventures all the way as they travel in their bus. Not any old bus either, as it is cleverly used within the story through high-tech means.

But the story is also tender and moving. It's about tolerance and understanding; dealing with homophobia is a huge underlying score.

Credit is due then to the leading men (or ladies!) in Graham Weaver, Richard Grieve and Noel Sullivan (Popstars and Hear'Say) who all played with grace and sensitivity. Hats off too to Noel Sullivan in particular, because his role is split between him for the first week and Jason Donovan for the second. After 13 million record sales, we all know who Jason Donovan is; he's a mega-star. But I genuinely thought that Noel was superb.

When you think about it, tottering around on 6-inch platforms can't exactly be easy, either. The show is full of energy, and heaps of mascara. Everything seemed to glitter, even from up in the Circle, where I was sitting. Perhaps it was the best place, because the mountain of ostrich feathers that appeared later in the show almost seemed to reach in height the same level that I was sitting!

I understand there are around 500 costumes in each production. Who on earth could have thought that giant cupcakes could look so mouth-wateringly beautiful?

 I loved the 'divas' - Emma Kingston, Ellie Leah and Laura Mansell were loud and proud. And, er... dangling from the ceiling right from the off!

Out of the some 30 songs, the audience and I knew at least 29 of them. I'd forgotten just how good 'Shake Your Groove Thing' is. 

I loved the array of rainbow lights that adorned 'True Colours'... and there was dark humour with 'Don't Leave Me This Way' - and lighter humour that had the audience roaring with laughter alongside 'What's Love Got To Do With It' and the accompanying homage to Tina Turner's dance moves. 

We ALL stood up at the end to join in with 'I Will Survive' too.

Sure, this is full of adult humour and not really one for the children. I wondered at times how they managed to cover the ears of the child actor who performs.

Indeed, my other half leaned over during the 'Thai Ping-Pong Champion' routine to Pop Musik and asked: "How are you going to review THAT bit?!" Yes, it was rude. But it was also very, very funny. Frances Mayli McCann, take a bow. As indeed she did, but not maybe as you would think!

I also loved the song montage illusion sequence near the end where the actors do their floor show and the music is sped-up. It was one of those "How on earth do they do that?" moments - where you kind of guess how they do it, but are still left in wonderment at just how they actually manage to achieve it.

Not long ago, Noel Sullivan told 'Wales Online' that he was "petrified" to be taking on the role of Tick. I thought he was so good, I would venture to say that it is HE who has set the bar. Hot Stuff? Great stuff!

Noel Sullivan performs as Tick until Saturday 1 June.

Jason Donovan performs as Tick from Monday 3 June until Saturday 8 June.

Hat Fair is Back!

... and Artistic Director Kate Hazel says it's not going to rain! So you can tell this member of the Theatre Royal team to put his brolly away!

Follow this link to hear from Kate Hazel about what's on offer at the Hat Fair 2013:

http://audioboo.fm/boos/1410008-hat-fair-is-back

Follow this link to hear Kate say how they're moving on from last year - and what she's most proud of:

http://audioboo.fm/boos/1410018-hat-fair-2

Caitlin: Spirit Lives On Through Transplant

The family of the 24-year old American student Caitlin Homan who died on Thursday 16 May at Southampton General Hospital a day after being struck by a car on the Stockbridge Road near Winchester say that her spirit will live on through others through organ transplant: "Although she did not survive, her decision to become an organ donor was honored. There is hope that as many as six or seven patients will be helped from her donation."

Caitlin was a graduate student at the University of Portsmouth pursuing her PhD in Psychology. The focus of her research was on whether dogs could detect deception in humans, or as many of her supporters viewed it, whether dogs could be trained to let someone know when they detected deception.

Caitie was born and raised in Canton in Connecticut and graduated from Canton High School in 2006. She then attended University of Maine, graduating with majors in Wildlife Ecology and Psychology. During her summers there, she interned at a big cat sanctuary outside of Colorado Springs, CO. She also did two internships at the West Palm Beach Zoo in Florida.

After graduation, Caitie worked at the Lemur Conservation Foundation near Sarasota in Florida.  She began as intern and progressed to Animal Care Specialist. During her time there, she completed two research studies investigating the lemurs’ understanding of transparent barriers.

The family says that her short time in England was bountiful: "While only attending University of Portsmouth for nine months, she had many wonderful friends among her colleagues in the Psychology department.  

"She was known for her passion for animals and her sense of humor.  There is hope that a means will be found to support someone to continue her research which is considered original and creative.

"The family gives many thanks to the police officials, hospital nurses and doctors, and her many colleagues for making this difficult time so much easier."

Police continue to investigate the incident, and anyone with information is urged to call 101.

Billy - a wonderfully tangled web!

David Cradduck awards 5 stars out of 5 - and would have awarded more were it possible - and finds out how this show of small town Yorkshire was bold and big at the Theatre Royal in Winchester! Billy - performed by the Winchester Operatic Society, Thursday 16th May, 2013

I have fond and vivid memories of being taken along as a small child, to see Winchester Operatic Society (WOS or - if memory serves me correctly - WAOS in those days) performing Gilbert & Sullivan at The Guildhall. It was the early 60s, when they had already reached their half-century. I say vivid, because it was one of the most colourful, spectacular events I had ever witnessed and I became aninstant fan, both of WOS and G&S, the latter to my parents' embarrassment as I had a habit of whistling along with the overtures.

Fifty years later, not much has changed, but I do refrain from whistling, or even humming, along. Not that I would have been able to whistle or even hum along with their latest production, Billy. Actually, a lot has changed - the group's sheer audacity at tackling something as different, complex and demanding of such a high standard of acting, singing and stagecraft, the sumptuous red velvet surroundings of the Theatre Royal Winchester, and the dancing. WOS was never like this "when I were a lad”, as Billy's dad would say.

In fact I didn't really know what to expect. Initial research told me it was based on Keith Waterhouse's 1959 book Billy Liar, the story subsequently made famous by Tom Courtenay in the 60s film and stage versions and which then launched Michael Crawford's stage career in the musical version. Therefore I knew that it was a story about a young middle class northern lad, Billy Fisher, who couldn't help but weave a web of lies around him as he attempted to extricate himself from a dull job and two engagements to local lasses. Promotional material and sneak previews told me to expect comedy, music by John Barry and a lot of big chorus numbers with dancing.

What I didn't expect was to be bowled over by the whole show. It simply flashed by in a whirlwind of big ensemble numbers, slick scene changes to small, intimate two/three/four-handed scenes, with a music score, 12-piece orchestra and singing that were a joy to the ears, and truly effective lighting that enabled those scenes to look and feel different from one another. A touching, funny script ensured the audience’s attention and mirth at all times.

The simple set centred around one large piece that smoothly and quietly revolved when pushed by the cast to become the backdrop for an imaginary land called Ambrosia, Billy's front parlour (complete with flying ducks and tea cosy), with Billy's bedroom atop, a terrace of houses, a park, an office, nightclub, railway station and cemetery.

That and a few sound effects, side flats, flown flashing signs and swings, desks, chairs, park benches and some simple props, completed the illusion of 1960s small town in Yorkshire - all choreographed into place by the cast as an integral part of the action.

This was a team effort so it would be unfair to single anyone out because everyone obviously worked hard to make this the slick entertainment it surely was.

But mention must be made of Chris Horn, playing Billy, who hardly ever left the stage and whose singing, acting, Yorkshire accent and powerful performance couldn't be faulted; husband and wife Hamish and Anne McDonald who played Billy's parents, plus Liz Petley-Jones as Gran, who as a group also became, on occasions, Billy's ‘other’, imaginary family from an aristocratic background and who swapped between the two stereotypes with superb skill; Suzanne Hall who did a professional job of directing and choreographing; and Martin Paterson, musical director.

If ever there was a living, moving, colourful advertisement for getting involved in local big-show theatre, this was it. Worthy of any West End production, Billy will stay with me for a long time to come - though perhaps another fifty may be pushing it, and by then I won't have many teeth to whistle through anyway.

Well done, WOS, you have a winner to be proud of.

Music - Turn it Up!

Winchester Today's Music Editor Rebecca Rayner eats, sleeps and breathes music. Here she concentrates on looking and listening!

Slam Dunk Festival South

Beckoning in the beginning of a fantastic summer of festivals, Slam Dunk South is back for another year in Hatfield on Sunday 26th May. With American pop-punk funnymen All Time Low headlining the day, there are plenty of bands to get excited about on this year's bill.

Joining a host of previously announced bands such as Deaf Havana, Pierce The Veil and Sleeping With Sirens comes another surge of new additions to this year's already strong line-up.  

Welsh rockers Kids In Glass Houses and Bury Tomorrow, Metalcore lads from Southampton, bring a showcase of British talent to Slam Dunk.

The Aussies are also out in force with Tonight Alive, Heroes For Hire and House VS Hurricane flying the flag from down under. Canada’s biggest metal band Cancer Bats will also be bringing a supersonic blast of heavy screaming to the daylong festival.

Slam Dunk South Will be taking place: Sunday 26th May: Slam Dunk Festival South. The Forum, Hatfield

Tickets for Slam Dunk Festival are £34 or £38 including the infamous aftershow party (please note aftershow party is 18+). For details go towww.slamdunkmusic.com

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Review: Don Broco, The Joiners Southampton,  20th February 2013

From the offset you could tell this was going to be a sweaty one. The Joiners was full to bursting in the anticipation to see Don Broco, the four piece Bedford rockers that seem to have become more popular in the last year than Pokémon cards were in the 90’s.

"This is the sweatiest show on this tour, if not ever" shouted Main Man Rob Damaini as mosh pits and stage divers enveloped the room.

Everyone knew what song they were set to start with; it had to be ‘Priorities’.

The band walked onto the stage with swagger, then came ‘The Walk’, a synchronised jump that goes into a full blown exaggerated walk, arms flying everywhere, legs way up in the air; the energy was infectious.

This infectious energy was the backbone of the show. The crowd were jumping so hard I could feel the floor bouncing beneath me. For anyone who is familiar with the gimmicks of Don Broco ‘s live shows, you would have been pleased to see all of them in their set. The Push up squad being one of them, with Damaini calling for the crowd to open up the floor, crowd members dropped down and started doing the push ups, there was even an overly enthusiastic response from one crowd surfer joining in by lying across his mates' shoulders and really going for it.

The set included an assortment of songs from the new album ‘Priorities’ which included  ‘The Whole Truth’ and ‘Hold On’ alongside old favorites from the bands EP’s such as ‘Dreamboy’ and crowd favorite ‘Beautiful Morning’.

Throughout the beginning of the set Damaini struggled as both his microphones faced technically difficulties. Swapping frantically back and forth between the two for a few songs obviously meant the set wasn’t as good as it could have been. The band recovered well from the hitch and provided great entertainment.

The highlight of the set was the performance of ‘Yeah Man’. As the crowd chanted in request, the band really bought the song to life. The harmonies between Damaini and Drummer Matt Donnelly were spot on adding a great depth to the song.

Damaini should be crowned king of crowd involvement as he partitioned the room in a mammoth sing along.

The girls began with a chorus of “ohhh ohh ohh ohhh ohh ohh ” with the boys joining in with a shout of ‘Yeah man” the sing along built to a dramatic climax with the entire room belting out ‘YEAH MAN” at the top of their lungs providing the feel good moment of the night.

With the single ‘Actors’ came the end of what was a truly special show full of enthusiasm, great British rock music and a whole bunch of laughs and singing along.

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D.E.A.D Anniversary Show, Southampton Solent University, 26th February 2013

The small room above the Students Union of Southampton Solent University was bursting with energy for one night and one night only; a birthday bash was underway to celebrate the first birthday of local band D.E.A.D!

The 5 piece emotional rockers may have only been together for a short time and therefore need to mature and develop into their sound, but they are already showing promise of greater things to come. Their Debut self-titled E.P has been compared to the likes of My Chemical Romance by Kerrang Magazine, and the band are set to support the likes of Yashin and Attack! Attack! (UK).


The biggest attraction of watching D.E.A.D’s anniversary show was seeing just how much energy and passion was thrown into making their performance explosive. It was entertaining to watch as each one of the members took it in turns to throw themselves about the small stage, climbing up the amps in momentary lapses of chaos, they were really going for it. This attitude really complimented their sound, rough around the edges and punk-esque with a hint of polished and refined.

Between the Emo guitar solos, the lyrics about teenaged romances and afflictions of youth intertwined with the passionate signing from front man Alex Mountford; the band's appeal screams to the teenage market. Being of that age themselves that’s the world they understand and own so well.

Song Everything, Everything is ridiculously catchy and tells the tale of teenaged romance gone astray. The haunting harmonies work well together, they inject an even deeper level of sentiment and pain into the already emotionally overflowing songs.

Like a raw diamond, the band needs refinement to reach their full potential. The talent and ideas are already there, the song structures are interesting and they know how to put on a good performance, but there is something not quite finished about D.E.A.D!

With sweat dripping faces the band pause from their performance as a birthday cake is bought onto the stage. As the fans sing happy birthday to the delight of the band, I can’t help but to think how much potential D.E.A.D! has and what on earth they could achieve in just another years time.

Visit the band's Facebook Page for more information - www.facebook.com/StayClassyStayDead

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Album Review

Bring Me The Horizon - Sempiternal

Bring Me The Horizon are back with their long awaited follow up to 2010’s ‘There Is a Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is a Heaven, Let's Keep It a Secret’

With the screams of “This is Sempiternal!” a new era of metal comes with it. Sempiternal is a game changer, genre defining in the fact it’s a sort of easy listening metal album that hasn’t sacrificed any of the death pounding screaming, darkly emotional lyrics and breakdowns that can melt the face off any unsuspecting listener.

The album breaks into a start with a distorted dance trumpet sound in Can You Feel My Heart. It gives you a false sense of security as to what you will find on Sempiternal. “Where on earth is Oli Sykes deathly screaming?” fans may plea, well there is no lack of that.

The House Of Wolves brings the harder metal edge to the album similar to the bands previous album.

Antivist one of the heavier songs on the album brings an incomparable anger and rebellion with screams of revolution. Sykes has likely had to make a huge donation to the swear jar as there is certainly no lack of it, which actually just propels the song to another level.

The most refreshing part of Sempiternal is hearing Sykes sing, and surprisingly his vocal chords aren’t shredded to pieces by his many years of screaming as if the Dementors from Harry Potter were after him. Hollows of the words ‘We Are Powerless’, in a way comparable to that from the likes of The Killers Frontman Brandon Flowers, exudes from Hospital For Souls.

Bring Me The Horizon have really bought their ‘A’ game to the table; Sempiternal is unlike any thing before it. It mixes hallowing metal screaming and breakdowns with softer generated computer sounds.

The way Sykes can manoeuvre from ear piecing screaming to softly singing lyrics is commendable and really adds to the captivating emotion and disillusionment of society felt by the youth of today.

The track of the album is undoubtedly Shadow Moses. It captures the band at its highest point. It’d be hard to knock the Sheffield Metalcore band down now as they are showcasing just what altitudes they are capable of reaching.

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Takedown Festival 2013

 On The 11th May chaos is set to descend on Southampton University with the return of Takedown Festival. Following the success of last year’s event, Takedown returns for its second year bigger and better than before. With over 30 acts set to play across the day covering a range of pop, rock, metal and punk.

Headliners The Blackout are bound to be rocking that party atmosphere with tracks of their new album ‘Start The Party’.

Don Broco, We Are The Ocean and Mallory Knox will be showcasing all that’s good about the current British rock scene, and While She Sleeps will be exhibiting the new breed of British talent in metal with their brilliant live performance and exhilarating screaming.

Death Pop band Fearless Vampire Killers, Marmozets, Arcane Roots, Your Demise, Sonic Boom Six and Burn The Fleet also join the rich line alongside many more names.

Tickets are available from Seetickets starting at £33.75

- http://www.seetickets.com/Event/TAKEDOWN-TWENTY-13/Southampton-University/695196

For more information visit their facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/Takedownfest?fref=ts

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Album Review: Peace – In Love

Birmingham may be the last place on earth you imagine finding dreamy guitars and indie boys singing tales of loves lost but you couldn’t be more wrong.

Birmingham is at the heart of a new breed of indie music sweeping the UK. Peace isn’t the only band part of the emergence of the Brindie scene (Birmingham Indie); Swim Deep and Jaws closely follow behind making waves in the same direction. If Swim Deep and Jaws are making waves however, then Peace is causing a downright Tsunami with the amount of buzz they are creating.

‘In Love’ is everything you would expect from a good indie album, but not in a disappointingly formulaic way. Harrison Koisser’s vocals are very The Arctic Monkeys meets The Kooks, although the music sounds nothing like either band.

In Love breaks the boring Indie stereotype; song Delicious has a great mix of guitar parts and percussion instruments. Higher Than The Sun provides that feel good summer feeling and that impossible to forget catchy chorus. Highlight of the album is Wraith. It erupts with captivating guitar rifts and a killer hook of a chorus of "you can be my ice aged sugar…”

Easy to listen to enjoyable indie music, In Love is an album hard to hate. Very wistful with memories of summer sunshine and love lost, it’s easy to see why Peace are trailblazers of the exploding Brindie scene.

You can contact Rebecca at rebecca.rayner@winchestertoday.co.uk