Despite nearly nine in 10 (89%) Brits believing being by the coast has a positive impact on their mental health, over two million people are missing out on the positive benefits having never visited the seaside recreationally. The new research, conducted by the Southampton International Boat Show ahead of its...
Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Musical, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, 17 August 2023
By Catherine Collins Who doesn’t love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? As a child, I read the book by Roald Dahl and watched the film starring Gene Wilder, and as an adult with children of my own the remake with Johnny Depp. So when the opportunity to see the...
Wickham Festival has been hailed as a “Triumph over adversity.”
Title image of child in mud: Graham Hiley Body images: Striking Faces While many events across the south were forced to cancel by Storm Antoni last weekend, the popular four-day festival overcame a succession of set-backs. Several days of torrential rain left the fields waterlogged at a time when...
Preview: The Bubble Show, Theatre Royal Winchester
Children and their grown-ups won’t believe their eyes when Theatre Royal Winchester is filled with bubbles, thanks to The Bubble Show – which takes to the stage on Sunday 27 August. The Bubble Show, which features extraordinary soap bubbles of all shapes and sizes – bouncy bubbles, bubbles inside...
Review Round-up: Wickham Festival, 3 – 6 August 2023
Words by Lewis MacLean and photos by Graham Hiley My first time at Wickham was almost overshadowed by the remoteness of the place, which turned out to be a key ingredient in the beauty of the experience. As I arrived at neighbouring Wickham Square, I already felt like I...
Review: Wickham Music Festival, Day 4 – 6 August 2023
Wickham Festival fans were treated to real rock royalty on the final day of a fantastic four-day event. Despite problems with the weather and the mud, the music lifted everyone’s spirits to make it all worthwhile. After three days of great acts, the final day saw the Zombies make...
Review: Wickham Music Festival, Day 3 – 5 August 2023
By Graham Hiley Wickham Festival fans were blown away – but by the music rather than the forecast gales. Winds of 40mph had been predicted along with thunderstorms and torrential rain ,and although there were a few heavy showers, the worst of the storm passed by the picturesque setting....
Review: Wickham Music Festival, Day 2 – Friday 4 August 2023
By Graham Hiley If you thought the Saw Doctors could not get any better than they were at Wickham last year, then think again! Singer Leo Moran told the crowd: “Last year was our first big gig back after six years so we were a bit nervous but we...
Review: Wickham Music Festival, Day 1 – Thursday 3 August 2023
By Graham Hiley Even the rain could not dampen spirits on the opening day of the Wickham Festival. There was a defiant party mood among fans determined to enjoy the music despite the days of heavy rain which left the ground soft and, in places, muddy. And their commitment was...
Illness forces the Proclaimers to pull out of the Wickham Festival
The Proclaimers have sadly been forced to cancel their show at the Wickham Festival due to illness. Singer Charlie Reid has lost his voice linked to a perforated ear drum. He has been told to rest by a specialist who has instructed him not to sing this week forcing...