Winchester Remembers The Fallen Rifles

Kevin Gover from Winchester Today looks on at the planting of two oak trees, as Winchester Remembers The Fallen Rifles.

Sixty-two of the Rifles will never see their Regimental Headquarters here in Winchester again.

Eight of them were killed in Iraq, the rest in Afghanistan. All in just 7 short years since The Rifles were formed in 2007.

Those fatalities are the highest number suffered by any infantry regiment of the British Army.

Here at the Peninsular Barracks on a cold, dark and wet January morning, the 'parade area' in Winchester suddenly burst into life with the call of bugles.

I knew they were about to sound, but they did it without any warning; the call to parade brought home to me that those who had fallen were not going to be forgotten by their mates.

I say 'parade area' - it's more like a car park now. But many parades have happened here since 1872.

Much of it now though has given way to residential property. Indeed, a delivery van attempted to run us over, probably not being used to buglers being on their patch.

Or used to seeing the Boss - Commander Land Forces - on site.

This was the importance being given to this ceremony.

Lieutenant General Sir Nick Carter - Commander Land Forces - says being at the barracks brought back many personal memories: "It is absolutely fitting that the trees are outside the RHQ: 

"I can remember as a rifleman being incarcerated in a room here in 1977. Riflemen have been trained here since 1872; it's very fitting that we should remember those who have fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

"The Regiment has shouldered a significant amount of the operational requirements in those two campaigns and has done so magnificently. These two trees will serve as very fitting memorials."

Honorary Chaplain Colin Fox told me it was a proud day: "I feel like I've been associated with the Green Jackets and the Rifles all my life having joined when I was 19. 

"Trees have a deep significance. They are a symbol of hope, of life."

This is an impressive place, a vital part of Winchester's community. As we turned to leave, I felt a sense of achievement.

I felt as though we had paid something back. 

It wasn't the ultimate sacrifice like the 62. But the trees will remain long after all of us present on this day.

Pictures: Simon Longworth, MoD

Hear Lieutenant General Sir Nick Carter

The Rifles

Lion King Roars At Mayflower

The award-winning production of The Lion King will play the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton from Friday 11 July 2014 for nine weeks as part of the show's record-breaking tour of the UK and Ireland.

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Four years in the making, the production brings together a cast of over 50 actors, singers and dancers, from 18 different countries, supported by a backstage team of over 100 people. 

The touring production is the biggest musical production ever to tour the UK, with hundreds of masks, puppets and more than 700 elaborate costumes representing 26 different types of animal.

23 giant trucks are used to transport everything across the country. In total, the touring production will visit 11 cities across the UK & Ireland over two and a half years, with further dates and locations to be announced.

Fiona Thomas, Vice President of Live Entertainment for The Walt Disney Company EMEA, says the company can't wait: “We continue to be delighted by how much audiences enjoy The Lion King in London and we look forward to sharing Julie Taymor’s legendary production with audiences in Southampton.”

The show is based on the Academy award-winning animated film which was entrusted to Director and Co-Designer Julie Taymor to adapt the film for the stage. 

Taymor brought a vast array of disciplines which draw upon her experience of various theatrical styles and cultures to tell the tale of Simba as he journeys through life and struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role of King.

The stage adaptation of Disney’s 1994 film was first seen on Broadway in 1997, where it recently became the highest grossing show in Broadway history. The production has now been seen by over 70 million people across six continents.

In addition to the record-breaking productions in London and New York, the show can currently be seen in Tokyo, Hamburg, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Brazil and on tour in the US, UK and Japan. The production has also recently opened in Sydney, Australia.

To date, this new touring production has enjoyed sell-out, record-breaking seasons in Bristol, Manchester, Dublin and Birmingham.

The production is currently in Edinburgh.

Tickets go on general sale on Monday 27 January from 9.30am via 02380 711811 or mayflower.org.uk

Flooding in Winchester and Hampshire - Advice

If anyone sees flooding near electricity substations in residential areas they are asked to report it to Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) on 0800 072 72 82.

Advice on flooding can be found at www.hants.gov.uk/flooding and flood warnings can be found on the Environment Agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods.

People can also call Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

If anyone has concerns about any older or vulnerable people in their community during times of adverse weather, they should call: 0845 603 5630 or out of hours 0845 600 4555. Hampshire residents are asked to be good neighbours and check on anybody elderly or who may be vulnerable during this time. 

With the succession of storms and the continued wet weather, ground water levels are rising. Surface water is also a problem on roads that are already damaged from last year’s wet autumn, and cold winter and spring. The County Council is warning that this will cause more damage to parts of the highway, and residents are being encouraged to report any potholes online or call 0845 603 5633.

Highways teams will continue to be busy responding to weather related incidents and the public are encouraged to report road problems online at www.hants.gov.uk/roadproblems or call 0845 603 5633. In an emergency the public should dial 999.

Residents in flood prone areas are advised to follow the Environment Agency’s flood warning advice, which is:

• Prepare a Flood Kit – warm clothes, torch with batteries, battery powered radio, food, water, mobile phone + charger, first aid kit, important personal documents such as passports, bankcards and insurance details; medication and baby food if needed. Keep it upstairs
• Make a list of useful numbers such as the emergency services, Floodline, insurance company and policy details. 
• Talk about what you would do in the event of flooding with other family members / housemates
• Know where to turn off the gas, water and electricity supply. Ensure you switch it off if you evacuate your property.
• Move people, pets, valuable items and if possible - electrical appliances upstairs or in a high place downstairs
• Any furniture that you can not move upstairs try and raise off the floor
• Think about moving your car to higher ground
• Block doorways, air bricks and cellar vents with bricks or sandbags
• Alert neighbours and assist the elderly, infirm and those with small children
• Avoid walking and driving through floodwater as there could be hidden hazards
• If you have any health worries call NHS Direct on 111 or see www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
• Call 0800 80 70 60 to report flooding to the Environment Agency
• Refer to Environment Agency Publication “ What to do Before, During and After a Flood”

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Hampshire on high alert - again

Hampshire prepares for coastal flooding risk

As heavy rain and high winds are set to batter Southern England overnight tonight (Thursday 2 January) and into the weekend, staff at Hampshire County Council  have said they're ready again to keep the county moving. This prolonged bad weather comes as the clear up operation continues following the Christmas and New Year’s Day storms. The number of highways emergency crews with tankers and jetters ready to deal with water on the roads and blocked gullies. Extra arboriculture teams with chainsaws are also on standby in the event of trees coming down. With Amber warnings in place for coastal flooding, forecasters are predicting more rain tonight and up to 30mm to have fallen by the end of tomorrow, Friday 3rd January .Friday will also see strong to gale force winds with gusts of 45-55mph inland, but possibly up to 60-65mph along the coast. The gale force winds, low pressure and high spring tides are likely to lead to some coastal flooding issues, with the threat at its highest between 1115 and 1215 tomorrow.  Residents are being advised only to travel if necessary but if they do have to travel on the roads, to take extra care as flooding is expected. Flood alerts have been issued across all coastal areas of Hampshire and this is likely to trigger nine flood warnings. Due to a combination of strong winds, large waves and high tides, coastal paths and promenades could also be highly dangerous as there is an increased risk of being swept out to sea. People are warned to stay away from the shoreline. Further heavy rain is also expected on Sunday afternoon and evening, and strong to gale force winds will again accompany the rain on Sunday. The Met Office has issued a Yellow Rain Alert to cover Sunday’s rain.  The heavy rain and strong winds may once again lead to some flooding issues as well as disruption to power and transport as trees are damaged or come down. Hampshire County Council will work with the emergency services and the Environment Agency to make sure collaborative resources are deployed in the best way to try to protect Hampshire communities. Priority has had to be given to fixing problems on the main routes. While some minor roads are still affected, teams are aware of issues on these routes and will attend to them as soon as resources permit.  With such large numbers of incidents it may take some weeks to clear up and the Council is asking people to bear with them during this extremely busy period. Highways teams have been working round the clock to help residents during the difficult weather conditions. Winchester Today Main Website