By Sally Churchward. Picture by Mike Daish. Southampton Pride has ended ties with ExxonMobil and HSBC following calls from local LGBT+ environmental campaigners. Previously both organisations were listed as ‘bronze sponsors’ on the Southampton Pride website. Southampton LGBT+ Climate Coalition, recently published an open letter to the organisers of...
Features
Opinion: Gaza – the Freedom Flotilla visits Southampton
By Charlie Hislop. Fishing is essential to the livelihoods of the people of Gaza, but for the, fishermen going out in their boats has been likened to entering a ‘military zone’. The Israeli-imposed limit as to how far the fishermen can go out varies – frequently set at six...
Under the Covers July 2023: Meet local prize-winning children’s author Ali Sparkes
By books editor Carolyn Thomas. As the long summer holidays approach, parents all over Southampton will be juggling jobs and other commitments while keeping their children entertained. So it seems a good time for some reading recommendations! Not only is time with a book immensely enjoyable – when it’s...
Interview: Something In Common with The Molotovs
By Lewis MacLean. The Molotovs are a trio of young musicians who are a new and fast rising band. The name was familiar to me before the Isle of Wight Festival but after seeing a recommendation from The Libertines’ Pete Doherty describing them as ‘F-ing Ace’, I was keen...
“I wasn’t ready to do nothing” – Supporting an African village from a shop in Southampton
By Catherine Collins When Vivienne Gilbert had to give up work due to Fibromyalgia, she wasn’t quite ready to ‘do nothing’, and now she has set up a not-for-profit shop to help support an African village. Kookies Crafts, based in Woolston in Southampton, provides a venue for local crafters...
Stretch in the city – the growing popularity of Park Yoga in Southampton
by Nick Mabey. Running around the common one Sunday morning just over a year ago, I was surprised to stumble across about 50 people on yoga mats in the lovely green space behind the Cowherds Inn. Back home and a quick bit of on-line research led me to the...
Photos: People’s Pride Party in the Park, Southampton, June 2023
photos by Mike Daish. words by Sally Churchward. Thousands of people flooded to Southampton’s Palmerston Park over the weekend to celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride at the second annual Party in the Park. The two-day family friendly, inclusive festival featured a parade, entertainment, stalls and more. Performers included Hunting Hearts, Maybe...
When three isn’t a crowd: living, loving and scheduling in polyamorous relationships
by Sally Churchward. Polyamory, also known as consensual non-monogamy, is gaining more attention in the media and evidence is that it’s growing as a relationship model. Here, five people share what it’s like to be in polyamorous relationships. “This is a constant thing between Tom and me....
A mission for pet owners help to stop ghost fishing nets
By Catherine Collins. After seeing photos of dolphins, turtles and seals trapped in lost, abandoned or discarded fishing nets, Sam Cartwright and Xavier Warburton had to do something to make a difference. “We kept seeing these awful photos,” says Sam. “It turns out that in some places, nearly half...
Photos: Southampton Children’s Pleasure Park, a love letter
by Sally Churchward. For generation after generation of children brought up in the city, the Children’s Pleasure Park in Southampton Sports Centre has been a brightly coloured, joyous presence. From days out spending tokens on round abouts and trampolines to birthday parties with as many ‘goes’ as you can...