Silver Hill Given Green Light By Pickles

Let's face it... tourists stopping off at Winchester's Bus Station might not exactly get the right impression of the city if they look right rather than left at the Guildhall. Well, both the station and surrounding streets now look set to be part of a multi-million pound redevelopment - as the Silver Hill scheme finally got the green light from Eric Pickles, following the approval of a Compulsory Purchase Order.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has written to Winchester City Council giving his approval for the CPO which allows the re-development to take place.

In his decision the Secretary of State recognised the compelling case for the scheme in the public interest which he said would support the social, economic and environmental well-being of the area.

Cllr Keith Wood, Leader of Winchester City Council, says the decision is good news for Winchester: "It allows us to press ahead with much-needed improvements for the Silver Hill area and shows the huge confidence that exists in the economic future of Winchester. It has been quite a week for Winchester.  On Wednesday (20th March) Council adopted the Local Plan, meaning that the District is more in control of its planning decisions and its future.  Now we have the decision which unlocks a £100m scheme to re-develop a vital part of the city.”

An inspector’s report will give more detail on the Secretary of State’s decision.  The next steps will be for Winchester City Council to work on a timetable with development partners, Henderson Global Investors. 

Martin Perry, Development Director at Henderson Property, has also welcomed the news: "We are encouraged by the strong support that we have received from the local community, ranging from the business community to the City of Winchester Trust, and look forward to moving ahead with the next stage of development at this exciting scheme.”

The re-development covers six acres - around a quarter of Winchester city centre - and is the largest in the area since the Brooks Centre was built in the 1980s.  The proposals include retail and residential development around a network of streets that link to the existing High Street and Broadway. There will be a new public car park and bus interchange. The development will replace the existing surface car parking, the bus station and buildings from the 1950s and 60s.

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Just Relax... MRI and CT Scans Open at RHCH

You cannot deny that it's been a great year so far at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital. Following on from the new outpatients department, patients at the RHCH are once again able to benefit from world class state-of-the-art MRI and CT scan facilities. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust opened the new building at the hospital in Winchester - part of a £10m project.

Work to replace the scanners and the building that houses them began in August 2012 after the previous scanner and building were destroyed by fire on Friday 9 December 2011.

Some of the features of the new building include:

·         Special glass on doors which goes opaque at the touch of a button to increase privacy and dignity for patients

·         Sunlight tunnels, which bring natural light in to the building through tubes in the ceiling

·         In the MRI scanning room, there are no corners to the walls, only curves, which combine with ambient lighting to provide a relaxing atmosphere for patients having scans.

Scanning services have been maintained on the Royal Hampshire County Hospital site throughout the duration of the building works, by using temporary scanning vehicles. These have been removed, meaning that more disabled and drop of space is available for the new Outpatient Department which opened in January.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans are used to produce detailed images of the body. The scanner in the Royal Hampshire County Hospital unit is a Phillips Ingenia 1.5T. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. This is the latest wide bore scanner with improved technical features.

The new building also contains a new Discovery CT750HD CT scanner. CT (computerised tomography) scanners use X-rays to produce images of the inside of the patient’s body which are more detailed than standard X-rays. The CT scanner consists of an X-ray tube that rotates around the patient. The dosage is so low in this state of the art technology that it is the equivalent of an x-ray, which is better for patients.

Hampshire Hospitals Chief Operating Officer Donna Green says they are delighted to have been able to make the investment: "The new building not only contains the latest, state of the art scanning equipment but also is a light, welcoming and relaxing environment for people who may be anxious about attending for a scan. We even ran a photographic competition among the staff to choose the local images to be displayed within the unit. In the future, and in common with our new Outpatient Department at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, we plan to provide self check in kiosks to make it easier for patients to book in when they arrive.”

Between fifty and sixty patients per day use either MRI or CT scanning at Royal Hampshire County Hospital. Referrals come from within the hospital or from a patient’s GP and there is also a 24-hour-a-day scanning service.

Photo: Chief Operating Officer Donna Green is shown around the new facility by MRI/CT Lead Steve Ross.  (Jane Gordon HHFT)

MP Hopes for Swift Recovery at Winchester Prison

A report published into conditions at Winchester Prison makes for grim reading. The prison has been described in the HM Inspectorate of Prisons report as "overcrowded" and "deteriorated". 

Two severely disabled prisoners were found in a cell designed for one - they had not showered for months and relied on other prisoners to take them their meals. 

One third of the inmates told inspectors that illegal drugs were "easily available". More than half of the prisoners had felt unsafe at some time.

Chief Inspector of Prisons - Nick Hardwick - did say in the report though that many staff "did their best".

Frances Crook is the Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, and is said to be disturbed that the prison is in such a state, having previously had a good reputation.

Winchester's MP Steve Brine met with David Rogers the Governor of HMP Winchester, for their first formal discussion since Mr Rogers took over the running of the Romsey Road prison. It's understood that they both discussed what might be contained in the report. Steve Brine gave his reaction to the report to Winchester Today:

"The IMB Annual Report last Autumn did not make comfortable reading and people will remember it raised some serious areas of concern With another new Governor coming on board late last year, while it is no surprise the report of HM Inspectorate is so damning, its findings are no less disturbing.

“A busy local prison will always suffer from the constant churn of prisoners but I have been concerned for some time that constant changes in leadership were having a negative effect on the prison, not least in its ability to meet the key objective of reducing re-offending. I met very recently with our new Governor David Rogers and there is certainly no hiding from the bare truths of this report. I do however, share the inspector’s view that there are positive signs of a determined effort to tackle Winchester’s problems, including a very tough new programme to tackle the high prevalence of drugs. The new prison team now need the stability and the space to put this right.”

Red Noses Add Warmth for Comic Relief

Students at Peter Symonds College made sure the warmth of the cause went straight to their noses to ward off the cold and rain on Red Nose Day.

Around 40 staff and pupils lined up to take part in their Fun Run... and the rain actually held off but only until just before the run started!

They all dressed up for the occasion, as you can see from our fantastic picture.

Well done to everyone for raising more than £300 for the cause.

Pictured left to right: Charlotte Wareham, Jack Mitchell, Lauren Drake and Harry Carter.

Imperial Ice Stars - Elegance and Beauty

Sleeping Beauty On Ice - The Imperial Ice Stars, Mayflower Theatre, Wednesday 13th March 2013

There is something about watching skating and ice dancing that sets your heart racing and transports you to another world in equal measure. Forget everything you've seen on the telly - it just doesn't come anywhere close to witnessing it in a real-life performance like this.

Reading through the notes of who's taking part, you realise just how high the bar is set; drawn mainly from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, we're talking about junior World Champions, and skaters that we would have seen on the telly in the European Championships and Winter Olympics. Just 25 of them, but they have amassed over 200 competition medals between them. They hardly put a foot wrong all night. They are of such a high calibre that they demand thought and attention; it's no wonder at all that the rink takes the best part of 34 hours to be prepared and ready ahead of rehearsal.

Right from the off, the skaters (especially Carabosse - pictured) set their mark as to how close they would come to the very front of the rink without falling over the front with their momentum. Make one mistake, and it would be an awfully long drop into the front row of the stalls. But their skills are such that instead you are left open-mouthed at the scale of their ability to enchant and enthral.

The theatre had thoughtfully provided us with seats in the dress circle, and it certainly helped with the enjoyment of the show; watching from an elevated position certainly helped with that enjoyment process.

Sleeping Beauty is a story of hope, heartache, romance, anger, and of good overcoming evil all rolled into one. In their portrayal, the skaters glided, they jumped, they embraced, they danced with fire - and with the help of technology they even flew through the air. The beautiful music of Tchaikovsky resonated through the theatre. It was almost too easy!

The choreography was stunning, the lighting and backdrops fantastic, the costumes were amazing and the energy and elegance outstanding. The costumes have been created especially for the company by Moscow's Stanislavsky Theatre. I loved the dark and sinister portrayal of Carabosse - and the beautiful elegance of Princess Aurora, danced by Olga Sharutenko - recently in 'Dancing On Ice' - but who has also been with the Imperial Ice Stars since 2004.

I had never seen anything like this before - but I have to say that the dance interpretation of the 'Garland Waltz' at the end of Act 1 was quite simply one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in a theatre.

5 stars ***** (continues at the Mayflower until Saturday 16th March and on tour throughout the UK until June)

Everybody Needs Somebody! Blues Brothers Are Approved!

REVIEW: The Blues Brothers - Approved, Mayflower, Southampton - Wednesday 6th March 2013

By Kevin Gover

kevin.gover@winchestertoday.co.uk

I could simply say that this is a marvellous show, and you would be mad not to see it. Because that's exactly what it is. But the whole point about this show is the something extra, the bits from our past, the association; the hats, the music, the image...  

The thing about the Blues Brothers is that you remember Saturday Night Live, or you remember the film - or you want a whole new experience. And this is MOST DEFINITELY that experience. An opportunity to dress up too; many of the audience had done just that, from the very young to those-of-a-certain-age.

Right from the off we had marvellous vocal performances from Brad Henshaw and Chris Chandler - and I loved the Joe Cocker impression of his 'With a Little Help' Woodstock performance. There was also a HUGE sound from their backing singers 'The Bluettes', who had plenty of opportunities to shine in their own right, with huge smiles and dazzling costumes. Brad and Chris also took time to inject a little comedy into the proceedings. 'Rawhide' - who on earth saw THAT one coming?!

Then there are the songs. We knew them all, even if we had never seen the show before. There was plenty of audience participation and we were all urged to get up and dance. There were poignant moments too. The vocal arrangements on slowed down and gospel-like versions of songs we are familiar with at a breakneck speed were breathtaking. 

I loved the band; they were together, they were tight and they made a whole lot of blues and soul come alive. The brass section comprises just two players, but if you closed your eyes you would swear there were ten up on stage. I particularly enjoyed Ricky Mian's tenor saxophone playing.

There was a great light show, and the staging and lights made full use of the tall and wide stage that the Mayflower offers.

The stalls at the Mayflower were jammed - impressive for an opening night. Then we danced out into Commercial Road. Like I said, this is a marvellous show and you would be mad not to see it.

5 stars

(Continues until Saturday 9th March and then continuing on tour until May, including Bath Theatre Royal)

Messing About In Mississippi - Crimes Of The Heart Review

Review - Crimes of the Heart – Maskers Theatre Co. - The Nuffield Theatre

Thursday 28th February, 2013

By David Cradduck

david.cradduck@winchestertoday.co.uk

It is always brave to tackle foreign accents en masse on stage – the most talented and stylish poduction can all be in vain if the audience is distracted by a group of Indians appearing to come from mid Wales or Geordies that obviously have never marched further north than Watford Gap.

So the prospect of six actors tackling an authentic and consistent southern drawl worthy of Dolly Parton for the best part of 180 minutes was a mental hurdle for me, as it probably was for many members of the audience who went to see Southampton based Maskers tackle Crimes of the Heart at The Nuffield. Indeed, it seems to be a regular feature of their annual winter appearance at the Nuffield to take on stuff that many groups would never attempt – last year the accents were also all-American  for the equally gritty, witty The Graduate, along with the bonus challenge of being compared to the iconic film of the same name.

But within a few moments of the (virtual) curtain going up on a stunning but simple and beautifully lit set of the McGrath sisters' Mississipi home, all thoughts of misplaced accents vanished from my mind, so mesmerised was I at the unususal scenario that unfolded. I was transported to early 70s Hazlehurst, small town Mississipi, to the dysfunctional, endearing and slightly shocking world of the three sisters at the heart of this adventure, which effectively has no plot but is a 24 hour snapshot of the lives of Lenny – just turned 30, dowdy and stay-at-home because she is convinced that her 'shrunken ovary' will put any man off for life; Meg – rebel, self-centred, failed singer, man-eater; and little Babe, who has been recently arrested for shooting her abusive bully of a husband but seems pretty unpertrubed about it, almost as if she had just won first prize in a local fair. Behind all the arguments, mood swings and jealousies is a deep, underlying bond the sisters have for each other and there are some very touching moments when one or more of them lets their guard down.

This is a comedy and a very funny one at that. The humour occasionally touches on farce and slapstick, with such age old devices as a long telephone cord wrapped around legs and cake throwing. Indeed, the antics of a failed suicide are painful to watch because they are both sad beyond belief and extremely funny at the same time – imagine carrying around a huge chunk of ceiling and light fitting attached to the rope around your neck because the ceiling gave way, or banging your head on the metal shelf whilst trying to stick your head in the old gas oven.

The acting - as is Maskers' trade mark – was impeccable, with a strong cast of six. Steve Cozier, James Norton and Ruth Kibble as the supporting cast of ex-lover, lawyer and jealous cousin all had key parts and played them very well with authentic accents, limps and suitable tacky clothing; but it was the sisters played by Susannah Lawther, Rachael Courage and Jo Russel, who stole the show with their range of emotions, stamina and enthusiasm and the audience couldn't fail to bond with them. Director Sarah-Jayne Wareham obviously had a clear vision of how to put this across and did so very effectively.

Crimes of the Heart is a long play and the first act at over 90 minutes perhaps ought to have come with a health warning – to nip to the loo before curtain up – but at no time did the pace drop or the show drag. It was an emotional roller coaster, sad, shocking and funny in equal parts from start to finish.

This was a touching piece of theatre that successfully combined comedy, pathos and drama in one enjoyable wrapper. Hugely watchable, great acting and so plausible.

Picture: Meg (Rachael Courage), Lenny (Susannah Lawther) and Babe (Jo Russel) enjoy a moment of  slapstick humour in Maskers' Crimes of the Heart at The Nuffield.