By Graham Hiley If Shane MacGowan had been a pirate instead of a Pogue, he might have come up with something like Skinny Lister. On the day of the Irish singer’s funeral, his influence was clear as the Greenwich band took Southampton’s Engine Rooms by storm with their own...
Christmas Markets: A Review of Southampton, Winchester and Gunwharf Quays
By Mabel Wellman. Normally, I am not one for Christmas markets. In fact, my first exposure to these was slowly moving between people on Above Bar Street to get through the Southampton market in 2021 and trying not to think how having less than 5 centimetres between people (rather...
Southampton march for Day of Action for Climate Justice this weekend
Activists from Friends of the Earth and Extinction Rebellion are calling for immediate government action on climate change with a march on Saturday, 9th December in Southampton. The march is part of an international day of action by the Climate Justice Coalition, with events happening across the globe. The...
Suburban Safari: Freemantle Common
Words and images by Katie Isham. We’ve just had National Tree Week (25 November – 3 December) . I know what you’re thinking: surely every week is tree week? Indeed, it should be. But it’s not. So this seems like the perfect excuse to celebrate the wondrous trees in...
Review: Cinderella, Theatre Royal Winchester. 5th December 2023.
By Chris Richards. These are two hours I hope to remember always. Since a young age, I have marvelled at the high energy, bright colours and joyous humour of pantomimes. They are not everyone’s cup of tea but, honestly, to me, nothing is more festive than going along to...
The volunteers helping solve Southampton folks’ money worries
By Megan Streb. On a typical Wednesday morning, a handful of volunteers gather at St Albans Church in Swaythling. They are there to help resolve Southampton residents’ financial problems, one at a time. “It’s all about the client – how they are, how they are affected by having debt....
Charlie Barnes, live member of Bastille and solo artist, on his career of contrasts
By Sally Churchward. Image credit: Joe Horridge. Charlie Barnes’ latest album has been three years in the making and counting. Like so many other musicians, he squeezes his passion – writing, recording, booking gigs in toilet venues – between the demands of his day job, family and the general...
Can you give to the Southampton toy appeal?
Communities, community organisations, local businesses and charities are being invited to donate new toys and gifts to the Southampton toy appeal and help spread festive cheer to our vulnerable children and young people this Christmas. The donations of new toys and gifts will be distributed to children and young...
Soton charity helping vulnerable young people through the cold this Christmas
Southampton-based young people’s charity, No Limits, is concerned about the rising number of young people facing issues with housing and homelessness, the cost of living, and their mental health, in the run up to Christmas. Demand for help is increasing. In the last year, the number of young people asking for...
Reader’s letter: Southampton Citizen’s Climate Assembly
By Cllr John Savage. Today, Sunday 3 December, marks the end of the final meeting of the Southampton Citizens’ Climate Assembly. Stretched over the last month or so, the council working with the University of Southampton, Involve UK and the Sortition Foundation, has been hosting meetings with over 40...