by Alex Thurley-Ratcliff. The fairyland of movies is sterile…. but completely safe, sweet, pretty and non-threatening. It is therefore highly appealing for those who fear reality… The real world is not safe, not predictable. But it is infinitely more rewarding, satisfying and thrilling. It is authentic and scary and...
Suburban Safari: Out of the darkness…
by Katie Isham. Here we are in the darkest months of the year, and this year, for one reason or another, feels particularly dark. So, it might be the perfect time to take a wander through the light. Beyond the Romsey borders, is an enclave of botanical beauty: Sir...
View from the Kingsland: being on the pitch not in the stands
by Nick Mabey. Almost exactly 12 hours after England’s sad exit from the World Cup I found myself inside St. Mary’s stadium with 800 other hardy (or is that foolhardy?) souls. We were lined up for the start of the inaugural Southampton FC 10k race, an event that started...
Southampton Tenants Union aims to tackle bad maintenance and black mould
The newly-formed Southampton Tenants Union is holding a meeting tomorrow evening (December 15) at October Books 189, Portswood Road. The group has decided to take action on the issue of bad maintenance leading to mould and the consequential physical and mental health issues. Campaigning ideas are all welcome. “We...
Festival announcement: Bastille and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds to headline PennFest
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Bastille have been announced as the impressive headliners for PennFest, in Buckinghamshire. The two-day festival will be headlined by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds on Friday July 2 and Bastille on Saturday July 22. On Friday, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, the critically-acclaimed...
Preview: The Wurzels at the Engine Rooms 16/12/2022
The West Country’s finest return on Friday for a very special Christmas concert full of festive cheer and cider. Their Annual Christmas Tour is coming to The Engine Rooms in Southampton, providing a fun filled Christmas party night. A perfect antidote to these troubled times. Formed in 1966, the...
Review: Goldilocks and the Three Bears – Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, December 2022
by Sally Churchward. It’s no exaggeration to say that Goldilocks and the Three Bears is the most spectacular show I have ever seen (December 13). It has more lights than have ever before illuminated the Mayflower stage and is an incredible experience for the senses from the first moment...
Photos: a frosty December morning walk
words and photos by Mike Daish. I woke at silly o’clock on Sunday morning and decided to go see if I could get some nice frosty spiderweb photos. After some coffee and wrapping myself in a decent number of layers I headed off towards Salmon Leap in Totton. It was...
Books column: Under the Covers – the Christmas wish list
by Carolyn Thomas. While my Christmas ‘to-do’ list is probably much like anyone else’s, I do have one particular and selfish tradition of my own… which is to buy myself a book. This is, after all, the season of goodwill to everyone – so why shouldn’t I include myself...
Face Everything and Rise – the Southampton charity offering help to those facing life on Artificial Nutrition
words and photos by: Peter Nichoson Imagine, for a moment, not being able to eat. Imagine relying on getting all your nutrition through a tube that goes directly to your stomach, or via a central line into your bloodstream. Imagine how it would affect your life: Dinner invitations...