A Positive Money Film Festival comes to Southampton at the end of this month. Positive Money exists to encourage education and discussion about banks and the financial system in Britain. The Solent Branch is presenting this festival so that people in the Solent area have an opportunity to see and discuss the issues raised by

A community bakery in Southampton is hosting a bake-off style competition for amateur bakers this month (July 2022) to help raise funds for new baking equipment. CommuniBakes, which is the commercial arm of the charity Communicare, is hosting the competition on Saturday, July 30 and the winning bake will be made and sold in August.

Since 2013 Southampton Keep Our NHS Public (SKONP) has been campaigning on streets, lobbying MPs and raising public awareness about the threats posed to the NHS through privatisation. As a local branch of Keep Our NHS Public, SKONP works to advocate the values of the NHS: publicly owned, accountable, funded from general taxation, publicly provided

Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in the Olivier Award-winning, original Broadway sensation, Jersey Boys, which is playing at the Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 5 to Saturday 16 July 2022.  They were just four guys from Jersey who had a sound nobody had ever heard of,

by Catherine Collins. Top Gun is showing in the cinemas, Kate Bush is number one in the music charts with Running Up That Hill and Southampton is set return to the ‘80s when Let’s Rock: The Retro Festival comes to Southampton Common on Saturday 9th July.  Thousands of revellers will descend on the city to

The award-winning Bat Out of Hell – The Musical, featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits, will burst onto the stage of the Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 28 June to Saturday 2 July 2022. Bat Out of Hell became one of the best-selling albums in history, selling over 50 million copies worldwide. 16 years

IT has been 65 million years since dinosaurs last roamed the earth, but Royal Victoria Country Park in Southampton will see T-rex,  Velociraptors, Stegosaurus and Pterodactyls roaming through its parkland once more as 2022’s most ‘roarsome’ experience comes to town.  Jurassic, Triassic and Cretaceous periods  are set to resurface in parks in  London, Buxton, Edinburgh,

Southampton’s Still Moving DJs and The Uplifter are hosting their very own all-day festival at the Brook this Saturday, the 26th June, with a programme for all the family. In the afternoon there is family friendly fun, with Hand to Mouth Theatre, vintage games, face-painting and dinosaurs – outside if the weather is fine. And

Campaign group Southampton Keep Our NHS Public will be holding an online public meeting, entitled Call The Midwife, on Monday, June 27. The Zoom event, to be held oat 7pm, will feature recently retired midwife Jane Well, who will be talking about the crisis in the NHS midwifery service. Jane was involved in the March

by Catherine Collins. The smash-hit musical, Rock of Ages, is back and the party is going to be bigger than ever when it takes to the Mayflower Theatre stage from 24 to  25 June 2022.   Leave it all behind and lose yourself in a city, and a time, where the dreams are as big as

Giant Sky, Last Seen Alive and March! will be coming to Heartbreakers, Southampton this weekend as part of a mini tour. Rock band Giant Sky come from Bristol and London and are made up of Jay on guitar, Jon on bass, Toby on drums and Olivia on vocals. The band particularly wanted to come to

by Catherine Collins. Singin’ in the Rain will take you on a journey back to the glamour of Hollywood during the roaring 20s, when it comes to the Mayflower Theatre from 14 to 18 June. Silent movie star, Don Lockwood, has it all, a string of hit films and a studio-engineered romance with the most

by Catherine Collins. A professor at the University of Southampton, and his son, bring their autobiographical exploration into their own relationship, The Wellspring, to MAST Mayflower Studios from Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 May. Professor David Owen Norris, internationally acclaimed pianist and broadcaster, and award-winning Salisbury playwright, Barney Norris, examine the age-old story of a

Best-selling author Gill Sims takes a hilarious look at parenting with Tits, Gits and Little Sh*ts at Theatre Royal Winchester on Saturday 28th May. The creator of the hugely successful parenting blog, Peter and Jane, and writer of the Why Mummy series (Why Mummy Drinks, Why Mummy Swears, Why Mummy Doesn’t Give A Sh*t, Why

by Catherine Collins. Star of British pop band, Busted, Matt Willis is set to play Dr Pomatter in the smash hit musical comedy, Waitress, which comes to Mayflower Theatre from 24 to 28 May. Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of some happiness in her life. When a hot new doctor arrives

by Catherine Collins. Michelle Collins, star of EastEnders, Coronation Street and 2000 Acres of Sky, is to star as the iconic Miss Scarlett in the new play Cluedo – which comes to Mayflower Theatre from 17to 21 May. When Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs Peacock, Reverend Green, Mrs White and Colonel Mustard arrive at a

Olympic cycling champion Dani Rowe is supporting a new event at Thruxton in Hampshire this year with the launch of the Hendy Foundation Bike Ride. Dani says the Hendy Foundation Bike Ride on Saturday July 23rd will offer the families and keen cyclists the perfect opportunity for a summer ride – away from the roads.

by Catherine Collins. Epic stage thriller The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown’s blockbuster novel that captivated the world – arrives at Mayflower Theatre from 26 to 30 April. Based on the best-selling novel of this century, with over 100 million copies sold, the world premiere stage adaptation of The Da Vinci Code will unlock

by Catherine Collins. One of the world’s most beloved family musicals, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, will grace the stage of the Mayflower Theatre, from April 19 to 23. Told entirely through song, with the help of the Narrator, the show follows the story of Jacob’s favourite son, Joseph, and his eleven brothers.  After

by Sally Churchward. A group of Southampton residents are pulling together to help get Ukrainian refugees settled and established in the city. Melanie Tudjaroglu and her friend Kasia Davenport have been amongst those volunteering at the city’s Polish Club to help sort and pack donations for Ukrainian refugees.  With everyone busy getting the floods of

Organisers of the first ever LGBTQ+ Party In The Park event have arranged a full two day family friendly festival  programme taking place on Saturday 11 June and Sunday 12 June.  It promises to be a packed two day programme with diversity at its heart, but the difference is that it is non-commercially  funded, leaving the organisers

by Catherine Collins. Songwriter and performer, Louise Jordan, brings her solo production Florence: The Lesser Known Life and Legacy of Florence Nightingale to MAST Mayflower Studios tomorrow (12 April). Through song and storytelling, Louise puts the myth of the ‘Lady with the Lamp’ under the spotlight and explores Florence Nightingale’s work as a pioneering statistician

by Catherine Collins. Carole King – the Musical, a brand new tour of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning show, co-produced by Mayflower Theatre, comes to Southampton from April 12 – 16. Long before she was Carole King, the chart-topping music legend, she was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent – Beautiful tells the

In Common was set up to celebrate and enhance community and culture in and around Southampton and provide a platform for people whose voices often go unheard in more mainstream platforms. It was founded  around two and a half years ago, with the help of generous donations, which helped cover the cost of website development

In Unwell Women, the latest talk brought to The Railway Inn, Winchester, by Wire Wool, Elinor Cleghorn, author of Unwell Women, reflects on the experiences of medical dismissal that inspired her to look to history for answers. As she combed through textbooks, case studies and clinical writings across centuries of medicine’s history, Elinor discovered countless unwell

In celebration of their 10th Anniversary, Cowprint  are inviting visitors to Southampton’s God’s House Tower to explore the exciting diversity of modern printmaking at their upcoming exhibition ‘Cutting a Fine Line: The Art of Printmaking’. Printmaking, as an artform, truly spans the ages – from humans using their hands to leave impressions on cave walls

X Factor Celebrity finalists Max & Harvey return with their new single No Way, out soon and a UK tour – This is Not A Phase, which comes to The Engine Rooms, Southampton, on April 14th. Kickstarting the year with  Single Girlfriend and now No Way, Max & Harvey are excited to be taking these

Describing themselves as a “multicoloured ‘sh*t-disco’ extravaganza”, three indie bands bring their Get Naked and Roll Around in the Dirt tour to Heartbreakers, Southampton on April 13. The tour feature three bands in a joint headline tour: The Ducks, Petrol Hoers and Petrol B***ard. The bands are sharing headline duty, so may play in any

A Southampton wellbeing charity has put out an urgent plea this month to find 30 Associate Therapists and Practitioners to meet demand for counsellors post-pandemic as mental health referrals soar. Options Wellbeing Trust, which provides people with professional support covering many life issues, says recently released 2021 data shows mental health services in England received

A protest is being held in Southampton tomorrow (March 26) against P&O ferries, following their mass sacking of 800 workers and replacement by staff being paid less than the minimum wage. An organiser of the demonstration said: “These workers are organised by the RMT Union and Nautilus International, we are standing in Solidarity with those

Tomorrow will see climate strikers bring their protest to Southampton as they aim to raise awareness about the damage caused by fossil fuels. On Friday ( 25 March), local school and university students are taking part in the latest of Fridays For Future’s global climate strikes, begun by Greta Thunberg, to demand that world leaders

by Catherine Collins. The sweetest of all Matthew Bourne’s treats returns to the Mayflower Theatre for the first time in nine years, from March 30 until April 3, and it’s a Nutcracker!  With family-sized helpings of Bourne’s trademark wit, pathos and magical fantasy, Nutcracker! follows Clara’s bittersweet journey, from a darkly comic Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross’ Orphanage through a

by Jonathan Mitchell. The way the British government has responded to the Ukrainian refugee crisis has been nothing short of a moral failure. After two weeks of intense and brutal fighting and indiscriminate violent from the Russian forces, as of 16 March only 6,100 refugees have been issued visas (1). This is despite the fact

Late last night (March 18), it was announced that Southampton has been shortlisted to the final four as a candidate for the title of UK City of Culture 2025. On the shortlist are: Bradford, Durham, Southampton and Wrexham. The winner of the title will be announced in May 2022.  The final four were whittled down

A new public artwork commissioned by Southampton arts organisation ‘a space’ arts is soon to be displayed on one of the city’s main gateways, following a public vote. In February, ‘a space’ arts released an open call inviting artists to submit their ideas for a new banner commission to be installed at the rear of

A new exhibition of artworks created by Fine Art students from Solent University comes to Southampton’s Guildhall Square next month. The exhibition, entitled ‘Connections’, will be exhibited in repurposed shipping  containers, and runs from April 2 to 6.  Each student will be interpreting the theme of ‘Connections’ in their own way, through a range of

by Catherine Collins. With humour, heart and countless timeless classics all performed live on stage, the Olivier Award-Winning comedy-drama from Jim Cartwright, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, is set to open at MAST Mayflower Studios from 23 to 26 March. Directed by Bronagh Lagan, this bittersweet comedy features music from the greatest divas

Artist Donna Mcghie from Southampton has lent her talents to a community bakery in the city by painting a mural to thank those who donated more than £100 to its Crowdfunding appeal last year (2021). The artwork now on the wall at CommuniBakes on St James Road in Shirley, which is the commercial arm of

The annual Southampton Seed Swap return to The Art House on Sunday (March 13). The idea behind the event is to encourage people to grow more of their own, hopefully save some pennies and to nurture varieties of food crops that grow well in local conditions.  Attendees can either bring their own seeds (which should

Sheila’s Island – a sparkling, sharp-witted comedy from writer Tim Firth (Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots, and The Band) – will be coming to MAST Mayflower Studios from 15 to 19 March.  It’s Bonfire night 2019, and Sheila, Denise, Julie, and Fay are Team C in Pennine Mineral Water Ltd.’s annual team-building weekend. Somehow, Marketing Manager

Southampton arts and heritage venue God’s House Tower (GHT) will launch a unique new exhibition in March from award-winning composer and sound artist, Emily Peasgood, featuring music created especially for the show. When I Grow up I Want to Be a Ship is a new, site-specific exhibition which explores and celebrates Southampton’s complex and enduring

by Catherine Collins. World renowned smash hit musical, Les Misérables, returns to the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton for a three week run next month, from March 8 to 26. Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production, first conceived in 2009 to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary, inspired the hugely successful movie version starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne.

People’s Pride Southampton is on a mission to raise £3,000 to help the charity hold a new Pride event in Southampton this summer. The charity has been building up to the event, to be held at Palmerston Park on June 11 and 12, for three years, and has already raised £12,000, without corporate sponsorship, and

An NHS National Emergency Day of Action is being held next Saturday (February 26). In Southampton, the event, organised by Southampton Action, will see protesters assemble at The Bargate at 1.30pm, before marching through Above Bar, returning to The Bargate for a rally at 2.30pm. The protesters demands are emergency funding of £20 billion to

by Catherine Collins. Nine-time Tony Award and four-time Olivier Award smash hit musical, The Book of Mormon, begins its three-week run at Mayflower Theatre this week, from  today, 16 February to 5 March.  This outrageous musical comedy from the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Bobby Lopez co-writer of Avenue Q and Frozen, follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair

On Saturday (12 February) Greenpeace Southampton Group created a giant heart in Southampton, outside the old walls and in Houndwell Park. The hears was part of the Climate Coalition’s annual Show the Love campaign, which shows what people love and don’t want to lose to climate change. The group collected sticks from their gardens and

  Golfing gags take centre stage in Hampshire this month, with New Apollo Theatre Company presenting Peter Gordon’s comedy, Par for the Course, at the Wedgewood Rooms in Southsea. New Apollo Theatre Company was founded as Portsmouth’s own Fringe theatre group, performing mainly in pubs and small spaces.  They took Looby Loo – No Strings

by Sally Churchward. It is one of Southampton’s best-loved independent shops, drawing in people from a wide area, thanks to its affordable, ethical stance. But now vegan supermarket Rice Up has fallen on hard times, with only days to save it from possibly having to close its doors for good. The shop strives to serve

by Catherine Collins. Birmingham Royal Ballet’s promises an explosion of Spanish sunshine, spectacular dance and vivacious comedy when it brings its world premiere of Don Quixote to the stage at Mayflower Theatre, from 10 – 12 February.  As the Don sets out on a quest to track down his true love, with his loyal friend

More than 90 percent of adult unpaid carers feel ignored by the Government, according to a new survey, published today (February 9). The survey, carried out by charity Carers Trust, also reveals unpaid family carers experiencing acute financial hardship as a result of their caring role Some of the striking findings include:  91% of unpaid

by Catherine Collins. With a show that has been delighting audiences around the world for nearly three decades, Buddy Holly and the Cricketers will be appearing at MAST Mayflower Studios on Friday, 11 February. Starring some of the finest actor-musicians in the UK, including Jason Shaw as Buddy – who was notably called ‘Buddy Brilliant’ by Graham Norton,

by Catherine Collins. The National Theatre’s smash hit production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time returns to Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre from January 25 to 29. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbour’s dog, 15-year-old Christopher embarks on a journey that upturns his world. He has an extraordinary brain. He is

You can hear a selection of beautiful works played by London-based Georgian pianist Luka Okros, when he returns to Turner Sims, Southampton, next month. Fantasy and imagination will permeate the evening’s musical selection, an ideal showcase for his remarkable musicality. Okros has established himself as one of the most promising pianists of his generation. He

Southampton’s independent radical bookshop, October Books, has started the new year with a packed schedule of events. Things get underway on Monday, January 17, with ‘conversation: chat to an eco-home owner.’ Held in the shop from 7pm, the event is part of Big Energy Saving Week. Join the conversation about what you can do in

A community research project has launched this month aiming to tell the stories embedded in the culture of Southampton’s streets and neighbourhoods through films made from residents’ perspectives. We Make Southampton (WMS) CIC is launching its ‘Is this street made for me?’ initiative with the Future Cities Community Hub at the University of Southampton Public

Southampton’s frontline care workers are being offered free counselling support by a charity this winter to help them through the ongoing pandemic especially with the emergence of Omicron.  Options Wellbeing Trust, part of the not-for-profit enterprise Social Care in Action (SCiA), wishes to help those whose mental health and wellbeing has been adversely affected by

Five hundred Southampton residents have responded to the first phase of research commissioned to find out what people think is required to make Southampton a more mental health friendly city. The survey by Southampton Mental Health Network was focused on what is needed to improve the city’s mental health friendliness and the initial results have

by Charlie Hislop. It’s Christmas time, and on Saturday (December 11) Southampton’s own travelling Santa is dropping into the Cricketers on Bedford Place bearing gifts. Well, not exactly Santa themself – but Grant Sharkey. And the gifts? – a whole set of topical tunes, some great laughs, and this season’s new album Wolk Music. Now

Eat cake – tackle loneliness. What is not to like ? Last month saw the launch of a project in Southampton to do just that. Communibakes is a baker’s shop and community hub in Shirley set up by a local charity. The profits from the bakery and shop will be channeled into much-needed work to

by Catherine Collins. Southampton has Christmas all wrapped up this year, with theatre shows designed to entertain all the family – from babies to the grandparents! Second Star to the Right – a 45 minute show made especially for young children and babies at MAST Mayflower Studios – is an enchanting theatrical experience that’s filled

On Tuesday 30th November, everyone involved in the music community in Southampton is being invited to take part in SO: Let’s talk about music, organised by Southampton Festivals at the SPARK Building, Solent University. The FREE event is to bring together all types of musicians, DJ’s, producers, promotors, venues and others to talk about building

‘Knit the Walls’ emerged from the realisation that while Southampton’s medieval walls have witnessed the everyday lives of millions of the city’s residents over hundreds of years, the stories we hear of the city’s past are the big events, those of national and international importance. But we each live our own day to day existence,

by Catherine Collins. The smash hit Leeds Playhouse production of C.S. Lewis’ classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, will come to Mayflower Theatre, Southampton from November 23-27 as part of a its UK tour. Step through the wardrobe into the enchanted kingdom of Narnia and join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they

An exciting exhibition of new works by a group of Southampton-based artists has opened at the city’s God’s House Tower (GHT), running until Sunday 7th November. The exhibiting artists were recipients of a new, experimental grant programme launched by ‘a space’ arts in January this year. The ‘ scheme gave £500 to nine artists in

The hopes of objectors to Southampton Airport runway extension were initially dashed by misleading news reports that the legal hearing they sought would not go ahead. It was a bitter blow for the hundreds of people who had contributed to the crowdfunding effort. But the media had it wrong. GOESA Ltd, who made the judicial

by Catherine Collins.  Created with magic legends Penn & Teller, Magic Goes Wrong is filled with grand illusion, breath-taking tricks and typical Mischief comedy that will tickle your funny bones and fill you with wonder as it takes to the Mayflower Theatre from October 26 to 30. Mischief’s biggest and most daring comedy catastrophe to

The Southampton UK City of Culture bid team has announced that  have secured our place as one of the eight longlisted locations to become UK City of Culture 2025. The city has worked hard over the past two years to understand and consult across communities, residents, businesses and organisations to develop a bid that is

October is Black History Month, with a host of events being held in Southampton, celebrating the influence and contributions made by the Black community over the years. The city formally recognised Black History Month 15 years ago – through the work of founding members, Don John and Jayanti Shah. It is now established as one

by Sally Churchward, founding editor of In Common I am proud to have been invited to be one of the ambassadors of Southampton’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2025. I firmly believe that the city deserves to be selected for the accolade – here’s why. I came to Southampton from Southampton to go

The 2021 AGM of the International Brigade Memorial Trust (IBMT) is being held in Southampton over the weekend 8th-10th October 2021. The AGM is a chance to remember the bravery of the men and women from Southampton and across Hampshire who volunteered to fight fascism in Spain as part of the International Brigades.  During the

by Catherine Collins. Southampton is set to come alive this weekend as Music in the City returns to the streets, celebrating the incredible and diverse musical talent of over 1000 musicians across more than 20 local venues.  The two-day event, which takes place on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October, has something to appeal to

Transition Southampton’s annual general meeting offers a chance to meet local activists and campaigners undertaking activities in Southampton to help to save our planet. On 30th of September, Transition Southampton will be holding their AGM. This year there will be eight activists and campaigners to speak to who are undertaking activities in Southampton to help create

by Catherine Collins. With more glitz and glamour than ever before, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is back on tour, featuring spectacular dance routines, a dazzling array of eye-popping costumes and all the glitter you can imagine. The musical show, produced for the first time by Jason Donovan, has a scintillating, sing-a-long soundtrack full of

Yesterday (September 26), volunteers from Greenpeace Southampton Group hosted an event as part of Great Big Green Week (18th – 26th September) at East Park, Southampton. More than 2000 events will be held across the UK as part of Great Big Green Week, calling for the UK Government to lead global ambition for climate action

Pressure group Southampton Keep Our NHS Public is holding online events in September and October in support of their ongoing campaign to protect the NHS. On Tuesday, September 28 and Tuesday, October 26, the group will be holding Zoom event, featuring local NHS-themed short films, as well as a question and answer session with a

A group of Southampton-based artists will be throwing open the doors to their studios this weekend and inviting the public to explore their creative space, get involved in a packed programme of activities, and experience some of the work that has been made over the last year. Arches Open Studios 2021 is a free event

Imagine you clear out your mother’s garage and in an old rusty trunk, you find a 60-year-old manuscript. As you begin to read it, you realise it’s a story written by your father about his exciting childhood on the Isle of Wight. This is what happened to Charles Lansley in 2013. He was so fascinated

Southampton author Jan Carr, has launched a Kickstarter project to print 1000 paperback copies of The Wonder Girls Resist. The Basque Children’s camp, at North Stoneham, was where Southampton welcomed and cared for nearly 4,000 child refugees of the Spanish Civil war. It is the backdrop for the novel, set in 1937, just before the

by Catherine Collins. A tribute to the greatest movie musicals of all time including Moulin Rouge, Rocketman, Burlesque, A Star is Born and The Greatest Showman – Come What May – will be at the Mayflower Theatre on Sunday September 26, for one night only. Travel back in time as the children of the revolution

Southampton’s over 60s population have until September 17 to have their say on what services and activities they would like to see in the city in the future. Southampton City Council has tasked Southampton Living Well (SLW), a partnership between the charities Social Care in Action (SCiA) and Age UK Southampton (AUKS), to ask those

 It has been announced that Southampton is on the list of twenty places bidding to be the UK City of Culture for 2025. The competition is organised by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) every four years. Those behind Southampton’s 2025 bid have been working hard to meet the brief of proving

The consortium fighting the proposed runway extension at Southampton Airport has raised more than £60,000 towards the cost of pursuing a judicial review into Eastleigh Borough Council’s decision to give it the go-ahead. GOESA, which was set up by opponents of the expansion plans, has received donations from more than 400 people, and is well

After an extended break due to the covid 19 pandemic, Wire Wool Events returns, with an event in Southampton, bringing Rosie Wilby to the Bookshop Alehouse in Southampton.  She will be bringing humour and understanding to the table  at the event on Wednesday, September 29, in her inclusive deep-dive into relationship woes. Whether you’re in

People came together in Southampton in their thousands on Saturday, to celebrate the city’s LGBT+ community and stand against prejudice and bigotry. The event featured a parade, live performances, stalls and more in a colourful carnival with a political message that’s as important as ever, to stamp out hatred. It was a day of joy

Southampton Pride returns to Guildhall Square on Saturday (August 28). Featuring live music, entertainment, a market and more, the event is a celebration of the city’s LGBT+ community. This year’s event features a new parade route. The parade will leave Queen’s Park at 11am, heading onto Brinton Street. It will then head up the High

by Catherine Collins. Bill Kenwright‘s legendary production of the international smash hit musical Blood Brothers returns to the stage of the Mayflower Theatre from September 7-11 2021. The much-loved musical, which performed to sell-out houses and standing ovations on its most recent UK tour in 2019-2020, features Lyn Paul’s farewell tour in the iconic role

Southampton Action works to support refugees and asylum seekers in Southampton and surrounding areas, by providing practical support. With the recent news about Afghanistan and the City Council announcing they are happy to resettle refugees in the city, the organisation has been receiving lots of enquiries about volunteering with them and donating items for people

by Sally Churchward. Southampton residents have taken to social media to express their horror at the meadows outside the city’s Civic Centre being cut. The sight of the much loved meadows being cut to the ground provoked outcry amongst those who feared a much-loved area of urban wildlife was being destroyed. However, the council’s Green

by Sally Churchward. Southampton’s Sapphic Cafe launches tonight, with it’s first ever event. Sapphic Cafe is a social group specifically for people who identify as sapphic. The aim of the group is to provide a a dry (non alcoholic) space modelled loosely on lesbian cafe culture where people are safe to express themselves and share

by Sally Churchward. Last night (August 10), Southampton band Delays were (rightfully) ahead of gossip about TV stars Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer in Twitter polls, thanks to Tim Burgess’ Listening Party. Users of the micro blogging site listened along with Aaron Gilbert and Colin Fox of Delays to the band’s 2006 second album, You

Electric guided bike tours have been launched in Southampton, bringing an alternative outdoor activity to the city. The initiative has been launched by Made in:Here and See Southampton, in a first for Southampton. A group, of up to 16, will be provided with electric bikes, sanitised helmets, insurance, and map of the route. It will be

Independent bookshop October Books in Portswood, Southampton, continues its programme of events, both in shop and online, this month. The programme for August gets underway tomorrow evening (Thursday 5th) with a livestream with James Dyke, author of Fire, Storm and Flood: the violence of climate change. Register via Eventbrite to join Dr James Dyke via

Last week (23rd July) Portswood-based activist and volunteer Phine Dahle hosted a tea party with a green agenda, and a pop-up garden to bring nature into Portswood high street. Invitees Alan Whitehead, Shadow Member for Energy and the Green New Deal, and Councillors Satvir Kaur and Gordon Cooper joined her to support the event, held

Following a successful film night earlier this month, Southampton Keep Our NHS Public is showing two more short films by TV Production students from Solent University, featuring staff and patients from Southampton. Being screen online tomorrow ( 19 July) are “Blood Donor Services”  and  “Windrush” the story of Beverley Dowdell who travelled from Jamaica as

Southampton City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, New Forest District Council and Winchester City Council are working in partnership with local environmental charity the Environment Centre (tEC) to support residents in avoiding air pollution from household burning and improving air quality for their health, their community and the environment.  While the winter campaign focuses on burning

Three events are planned for Southampton next month (July) to celebrate and help protect the NHS by campaign group Southampton Keep our NHS Public. First, an NHS Birthday Event is being held on Saturday, July 3. Focusing on patient safety, pay justice and an end to privatisation, the event will run from noon to 1.30pm

  ‘a space’ arts and God’s House Tower have announced that God’s House Tower will reopen to the public on July 9th. This is a huge moment for Southampton’s newest arts and heritage venue, which had to temporarily close just six months after opening, and after a seven year, £3.1million refurbishment project. Now the team

Hampshire author, Positive Psychology Practitioner and Ambassador of Wellbeing, Cheryl Rickman, introduces her new book, Navigating Loneliness: How to connect with yourself and others on Wednesday 26th May at 7pm. The book, which is published the following day on 27th May, has a foreword by Terry Waite CBE (who as a hostage endured the extraordinary hardship of five years in

A Southampton charity that was praised by the Department of Health and Social Care for its work at the city’s Covid-19 vaccination centres is urgently appealing for more volunteers. Communicare is looking for people to donate their time during the next stage of immunisations to provide support to people in waiting areas and get them

An anti-war demonstration is set to take place at Portsmouth Harbour on May 23, to protest against £3bn warship HMS Queen Elizabeth. The warship is capable of carrying 40 aircraft and will be carrying eight RAF and 10 US Marine Corps F35B Lightning II jets to the Asia-Pacific region. The HMS Queen Elizabeth replaces HMS Ocean

A Space arts and God’s House Tower has announced a new programme of events for Black and non-Black artists of colour in Southampton. The events will take place as part of Futures Forum, a professional networking and support initiative set up by the team at God’s House Tower, a new arts and heritage venue in

A new festival for the LGBTQ+ community together is set to go ahead in Southampton next month. Write It Out will take place on May 16 and 15, as part of God’s House Tower’s 2021 programme. Curated in collaboration with Reconnecting Rainbows – a Southampton-based LGBTQ+ network – the festival will bring together local poets

Demonstrators will be in Southampton on Monday (April 12) to protest against the sacking of Declan Clune, a bus driver and activist, by Bluestar bus company. The demonstration, which is set to take place from 9am to 11am at the Bargate in Southampton centre, is being organised by the RMT Union. Protesters will be socially

by Sally Churchward. Protesters will be gathering in Southampton city centre on Friday (April 2) to protest against the government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. The Kill the Bill protest, which is part of nation-wide action, will be held at Guildhall Square from 5.30pm. It follows events elsewhere, including the Clapham Common vigil for

by Sally Churchward. Protesters will be taking to the streets of Southampton on Saturday (April 3) for a ‘Covid-Compliant Cavalcade’ organised by anti-austerity campaign group Southampton People’s Assembly, with a view to promote ‘fairer, kinder politics’.   The Cavalcade procession will weave through the streets of Southampton in what organisers describe as “a vibrant display

by Sally Churchward. In Common is a grass roots community news and features platform. It was set up around a year and a half ago, thanks to generous donations to pay towards the website development and hosting and people from in and around Southampton giving their time for free to write, photograph for and edit the

People who live, work or run businesses in Southampton are being asked to express their views on how it can become a Mental Health Friendly City. Southampton Mental Health Network is asking residents to complete its survey to discover what they think a Mental Health Friendly City looks like and what it would mean to

This weekend, Southampton Stand Up To Racism is marking the United Nations International Day for The Elimination of Racial Discrimination with an online event featuring music, poetry, dance and guest speakers. The event, on Saturday March 20, at 3pm, will showcase young people performing music, dance and reading poetry they have prepared especially for the

Southampton Global Justice Youth is running a free online film screening of This Changes Everything, a film by Avi Lewis and Naomi Klein. The event will be held on Saturday, March 20, and is aimed at people aged under 30. This Changes Everything presents portraits of communities on the front lines of the climate crisis,

As children return to school this week, Ministers are facing calls to make being a single parent a protected characteristic under the Equality Act after a survey shows the pandemic restrictions heightened single parents’ experience of discrimination.  In the UK today, a quarter of families are headed by a single parent. Despite this, single parents

by Sally Churchward. A keen swimmer from Hampshire found a new friend when taking a chilly dip at Lepe in the New Forest yesterday, when he was joined by a seal. Chris Balcombe has taken to wild swimming on a daily basis since the first lockdown but this is the first time he has found

Could your artwork help your favourite good cause? Adults and children are being invited to create a poster representing what charity means to them, which will them be auctioned to raise money charity or community interest company (CIC). The artwork could be about charity in general or the organisation they want to support from those

A black British journalist is tackling her local media’s negative coverage of black people head-on by giving black people in her city the skills to tell their own stories. Broadcast journalist turned social entrepreneur, Veronica Gordon (pictured), set up Our Version Media CIC after becoming increasingly frustrated with, and seeing the harm that, negative and

Volunteers at a Southampton charity recently donated their time to help vulnerable members of the community get their Covid19 vaccinations. The individuals from Communicare’s Communiteer programme provided support to people in waiting areas and getting them to and from their cars during immunisation sessions across six centres. Annie Clewlow, Communicare Manager, explained: “We are so proud

A beautiful new, full-colour illustrated book showcasing artwork, embroidery and stories by people in Southampton about Southampton is being launched today. Because Every Journey is a Story: Art and Writing from the Port of Southampton, will launch on Zoom this evening (December 10, 2020) from 6.30 – 7.30pm.  Funded by Arts Council England, and supported

The Disability Union has launched, in order to build power and a national voice for disabled people powerful enough to influence policy; whilst also helping people with their day-to-day disability struggles.  The date of this launch is significant as last month marked the 25th anniversary the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995. The Disability Union aims to help kick-start and

by Joe Dukes, Chairperson – Southampton People’s Assembly.   Volunteers working at Southampton City Mission know all too well that Christmas is a time for giving. Foodbank distribution centres are providing unprecedented amounts of food parcels across the city – and demand continues to rise over the festive period. Southampton Unite Community and People’s Assembly

By Charlie Hislop and Sarah Phoenix. ‘Where are we going?’ is the most gorgeous children’s book by Southampton’s self-esteem champion Vie Portland!  It’s all about imagination and adventure, which all of us love… It just happens that the main character is disabled. This book is so important because rather than focusing on the disability itself

by Melodie Walter. Campaigners left empty plates outside the office of Romsey and Southampton North MP, Caroline Nokes, after she voted against free school meals. A number of protestors from the local Labour party members, teachers and residents left 50 empty plates outside of her office, in the Market Place, posting ten of them through

Residents of St Denys, Southampton, are being asked to join in a spooktacular pumpkin carving event for Halloween. Kids, young and old are being encouraged to put up spooky artwork and pictures in front windows as well as carve pumpkins in time for Halloween. Anyone can join in by posting pictures of their achievements on

This year’s Chrysalis  annual conference will be online ‘live’ on November 27. The Hampshire charity supports transgender and questioning people, and their families and close friends. This year’s event will have speakers, discussion groups and opportunities to meet people who can inspire, educate and inform you about ‘Why Gender Identity Matters in 2020’ (Authenticity is

by Sally Churchward. Activists gathered in Southampton Guildhall Square yesterday (October 24) to protest against police brutality in Nigeria. The demonstration was called to protest against a police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS. The event was held in solidarity with protests that have been held against the unit over the past fortnight in Lagos,

You never know where a friendly chat might lead to. After a conversation over a garden wall between a local resident Kat Smith and the treasurer of Christchurch Freemantle, Will Green, the church agreed to donate £5000 towards play equipment for Freemantle Lake Park in Southampton. Friends of Freemantle lake Park have been working with

New research conducted by Citizens Advice Southampton has revealed the almost impossible task of finding a home for those on low incomes.  Of 135 rental properties advertised on a popular website, just 14 said that they would accept tenants on benefits – highlighting the difficulties facing many prospective tenants in the Southampton and surrounding area.

by Sally Churchward. Local people took to the streets yesterday (October 13, 2020) in an anti racism protest. The rally was held in response to what police believe was a racially motivated attack in which a man was stabbed and a woman was injured, last week. The incident took place last night Thursday, when a

Southampton and South West Hampshire Trades Union Council is holding a rally next month in response to the coronavirus pandemic. A spokesperson said: “The event will be a demonstration and rally for workers and students to say loudly and clearly that we will not be forced to pay for the costs of the coronavirus pandemic.

A Southampton charity working towards eradicating loneliness and isolation has launched a new telephone service with Social Care in Action (SCiA) and Southampton University to help support the city’s vulnerable. Communicare recently officially unveiled its ‘Hello Southampton’ telephone support service, which offers regular scheduled phone calls up to five times a week to isolated or

Southampton based arts charity ‘a space’ arts has been awarded £216,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future, the Culture Secretary has announced today. ‘a space’ arts is one of 1,385 cultural and creative

by Roger Townsend. On the wet and dreary morning of 7 October 1945 the P&O liner SS Corfu docked in Southampton, the first of an armada of ships to bring almost 40,000 former Far East Prisoners of War back to the Southampton and Liverpool, after years of privation and suffering in South East Asia during

Face of Britain, curated by Nahem Shoa, is an exhibition of portraits by outstanding artists who have painted British individuals from the 17th century to the present day. At its heart is a selection of Shoa’s own striking oil paintings of black and mixed race sitters. Running at Southampton City Art Gallery from tomorrow (September

Southampton’s independent radical bookshop, October Books, is hosting local author Craig Jordan-Baker to talk about his darkly comedic debut novel The Naucillans. You can read a review of the novel here. The event will take place on Thursday, September 24, at 7pm, via Zoom. Register via Eventbrite to attend. Welcome to the world of The Nacullians,

The Survival Fundraising Appeal of Play to the Crowd – the arts and education charity which runs Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and Playmakers – has received a boost from of Winchester Musicals and Operatic Society (WMOS) with a £5,000 contribution to the campaign. Suzanne Hall, Chair of WMOS said: “Winchester Musical Opera Society have

Southampton City Council has tonight (10/9/20) announced that the city’s Boat Shows, due to open tomorrow, have been cancelled. Both shows were due to run from tomorrow until September 20. Southampton City Council issued the following statement: “The Ocean Village Boat Show 2020 and Boats 2020 presented by Southampton International Boat Show Limited, due to

by Geoff Wall. Stick It In Your Ear (SIIYE) has just launched an online archive of  local music originally recorded on originally recorded on reel to reel tapes and published on cassette in the 1980s. Southampton-based SIIYE started life in the 1980s as a magazine, rather like a catalogue, that described and gave details about

Citizens Advice Southampton has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help people across the city at risk of eviction and homelessness because of the coronavirus crisis. The past few months have been particularly challenging for people who are renting their homes. Giving up work to care for a loved one, being furloughed, a reduction in hours

by Charlie Hislop. It’s Southampton Pride weekend!  It’s August! It’s Bank Holiday! It’s Southampton Pride – but not as we know it. With no outdoor events allowed this summer, Southampton Pride Digital is an afternoon on Facebook live, followed by a not-so-traditional after party, and a full-day Voice FM Pride takeover.   The on-line Pride Digital

The Survival Fundraising Appeal of Play to the Crowd – the arts and education charity which runs Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and Playmakers – this week received a boost from of Winchester Rotary as they contributed £2,000 to the campaign. Deryck Newland, Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted to receive this generous contribution to our

Southampton City Art Gallery is currently present a retrospective by the acclaimed British painter John Hitchens. Running until October 3, Aspects of Landscape, features more than fifty works spanning almost six decades and charts the artist’s journey from descriptive to a unique form of abstract painting.  Hitchens first came to public prominence in the 1960s

New research conducted by Citizens Advice Southampton has revealed the almost impossible task of finding a home for those on low incomes.  Of 135 rental properties advertised on a popular website, just 14 said that they would accept tenants on benefits – highlighting the difficulties facing many prospective tenants in the Southampton and surrounding area. 

by Ben Biddell. ‘Together: An anthology from the COVID-19 pandemic’, is a true collection of the many voices of humanity during the hard time that has been and still is in 2020, curated by Dutch researcher Dr Pauldy Otermans and social educationist Dev Aditya from London. The 444-page book, which  is currently available in  in

by Charlie Hislop. Covid-19 Lockdown has affected everyone differently. Some people thrived, some struggled, some worked and some people wrote about it. And someone decided to collect some of that into a book. Lock Write Down is a poetry anthology curated by Robyn Hislop, produced as a way of raising money for charity – Black

by Frances Churchward. Sarah Horsfall is a Southampton mother with two children who attend a local primary school. She has recently produced a series of books, The Owlbert Series, published by Tricorn Books written in rhyme, for primary aged children. Sarah explains why she decided to write the books: “There have been several times during my time

by Sally Churchward. THE owners of a small Hampshire business are suffering a torrent of abusive calls, messages and reviews after irate social media users have mistaken them for a company in San Francisco. A video of the British CEO of San Francisco tech company Solid8, Michael Lofthouse, has gone viral on social media this

by Sally Churchward. The arts and education charity, Play to the Crowd which runs Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and Playmakers, has today announced that it needs to raise £225,000 by the end of September in order to survive beyond the Covid crisis.  The news comes the day after it was announced that Nuffield Southampton

A protest against transphobia will be held on Saturday 18th July from 12:00pm – 15:00pm in Guildhall Square, Southampton. This is part of a day of national action against transphobia taking part across the UK.  On 14th June 2020, the Sunday Times reported that, despite 70% of responses to the recent consultation on the reform

Southampton’s radical bookshop October Books, has launched a crowdfunder like no other – this promises a 100% return to all who contribute. The folks at October Books are encouraging the public to buy October Books vouchers via a crowdfunding campaign in order to keep the tills ringing until they can open their doors once more.

Led by arts organisation, ’a space’ arts, Homemade Mango Chutney is a virtual exhibition of new work by graduate artists in Southampton.  Previously titled Mango Chutney, the exhibition was originally intended to showcase the work of ten artists who currently occupy studio spaces at the Alfred Arcade and the Hidden Wardrobe on Old Northam Road.

Southampton Woodcraft Folk has a group for young people aged six to nine (plus siblings) which normally meets one Saturday a month at the Hawthorns Centre on Southampton Common. The group began in October 2019 and is small but growing, and warmly welcomes new members.  The meetings at the Hawthorns have been suspended during the

Southampton events company Murderedformoney has gone online. They are offering online seven day comedy crime challenges to be solved from the comfort of your sofa. Their next event, Death by Diamond, launches on Tuesday, May 5, offering seven days of comedy chaos and murderous mayhem. Smoothgreens golf course diamond club are hosting a charity fundraising

EDITED: New deadline, updated to state 1st June 2020. by Chris Richards. May Day! May Day! Juliette Jones: Editorial Services are compiling a book of stories written by our children and the closing date is approaching fast! Juliette Jones is a wonderful woman with a name reminiscent of a Marvel superhero! Working from home while

by Sally Churchward. Almost £60,000 has been donated to the Southampton Coronavirus Response Fund since it was launched on Friday, but more funds are urgently needed to help fight the deadly disease. Researchers from the university are currently trialling an inhaled drug that could prevent worsening of COVID19 in those most at risk. Engineers and medical

With International Women’s Day taking place  on Sunday, March 8, a number of special events are taking place across Southampton. These include a Phenomenal Women event being held on Sunday at the Studio Theatre at NST Southampton. The event will feature a number of inspirational speakers: Sylvia Mac, a child burn survivor, campaigner and founder

YOUNG people from Southampton can attend a group to help them develop a positive attitude and approach to life thanks to new funding. Weston Church Youth Project (WCYP) has been given £5,000 from The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) and will receive funds from The Co-op Community Fund for its Resilient Kids

by Chris Richards. UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO THE CURRENT CONCERNS OVER COVID-19, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. If you have applied for tickets, you will receive an email directly. There is no Planet B Sat, 14 March 2020. 19:00 – 20:30. University of Southampton, Highfield Campus Ask the experts! An interactive panel will discuss the human

by Sally Churchward. Now in its 15th year, Southampton Seed Swap takes place on Sunday, March 1. But what’s it all about? Do you have to have seeds to trade, and what is the purpose of it? Southampton Seed Swap is a community seed swapping, gardening and environmental living event, aimed at helping to build

Friends of St. James’ Park has been awarded a five year grant from the National Lottery Funding. The Shirley-based charity has been recognised for its community enrichment. Friends of St. James’ Park is celebrating after being awarded the grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to continue their successful work with the community and their

Southampton based arts organisation ‘a space’ arts have just announced the appointment of Marilyn Scott as the new Chair of the board of Trustees. Marilyn has taken up the role alongside her work as Director of The Lightbox in Woking, which won the Art Fund Museum of the Year Award 2008.  Marilyn has just been

by Sally Churchward A collection for a Southampton food bank saw generous shoppers donate more than 18 crates of food to help those in need last week. One couple even donated an entire trolley full of food to the collection for Southampton City Mission, which was held on December 23. Meanwhile, cash donations from shoppers

by Sally Churchward. The BBC has confirmed that the televised leaders’ debate between Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson, which was scheduled to take place in Southampton tomorrow (December 6) has been moved to an undisclosed location. In a statement, they said: “The programme will no longer be held in Southampton because of operational reasons. We

You can sponsor a light on the Tree of Light in memory of a loved one or special cause this Christmas time. Good neighbours charity Communicare in Southampton, which aims to eradicate loneliness, are delighted that the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Peter Baillie, will be switching on their Tree of Light lights this year. All

by Sally Churchward. A video of Southampton binman Simon Cotton has gone viral after it was shared on social media by Jeremy Corbyn and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell earlier today (December 2). Within an hour of being shared by the Labour Party leader, views of the video had shot up to more than 300,000. The

Breaking News… In-Common has received information that the leader’s debate scheduled to take place in Southampton on December 6 will no longer be happening. Instead the event, set to be televised live by the BBC, which would have seen Boris Johnson go head-to-head with Jeremy Corbyn in Southampton, where Labour Party Candidate Alan Whitehead is

by Catherine Collins. God’s House Tower – the historic gateway into Southampton’s Old Town – has announced a packed calendar of events for its grand opening season. Travel back through 700 years of medieval history, from its creation as a gun tower and strategic point of defence to its days as one of England’s most

by Catherine Collins. Following last year’s tremendously successful LeftFest event, Southampton will again celebrate left, progressive and environmental activism in the Southampton area – and this year it promises to be the best yet. LeftFest takes place between midday and 5pm on Saturday 19 October at the 1865 Club in Brunswick Square and will include

by Sally Churchward. Monday, October 14, will see the launch of a new pop up vegan cafe in Portswood, Southampton Veg Out community vegan cafe will open its doors at 10am in the community room at October Books on Portswood’s high street. As well as spreading a vegan and environmental message, the cafe will provide

by Sally Churchward. The leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, will be addressing a rally of Labour Party members at an undisclosed venue in Southampton tomorrow (October 9). The leader of the opposition will be speaking to members about Labour’s plans to help build Britain for the many and end Boris Johnson’s ‘destructive’ Conservative

Playmakers – Play to the Crowd’s creative learning and community engagement team – are inviting teachers to an education forum to give them the chance to discuss how the charity can support local schools’ arts activities. The event – which will take place at Theatre Royal Winchester on Thursday 10 October, from 5.30pm – 7pm

To help people navigate around the many activities across the city and to support the endeavours of organisations and groups of all sizes, Southampton City Council and Southampton Clinical Commissioning Group has funded a new service – SO:Linked. The service will be delivered by community navigators and community development workers through an integrated partnership led

National running group Cool Runnings UK is inviting people in Southampton to join a social run in celebration of World Mental Health Day on Thursday, October 10. One of the aims of the run is to highlight how exercise can help relieve stress and lift out mental health. There is no need to book onto

Celebrated as ‘the gateway to the world,’ Southampton used to be known as somewhere you pass through, thanks to its famous cruise industry and commercial dockyards. But times have changed, and now it is a destination in its own right, thanks, in part, to its thriving leisure scene. There has been a lot of redevelopment

by Chris Richards. The last weekend in September is becoming known as the weekend of Macmillan Coffee Mornings and Adjustamatic Beds on Winchester Road went the extra mile On Friday, 27th September. Local representatives of Communicare Southampton, Carers in Southampton, Friends of St James Park, Action on Hearing Loss and Marek from Physio Soton came

by Sally Churchward. Fanny, vulva, vagina, front bottom, frou-frou, chuff…the list goes on. There are a lot of words to describe women’s genitals but, says Emma Rees, one which actually describes the whole of the area is widely considered the most offensive word in the English language: c**t. Emma will be taking part in a

by Catherine Collins. From the producers of Horrible Histories and Gangsta Granny comes the world premiere of Tom Gates Live on Stage in a hilarious adventure that sends Tom’s world spinning!  And Southampton fans can catch up with him from October 18 – 20 2019 at Mayflower Theatre. Based on the best-selling books by Liz Pichon, this

Black History Month launched in Southampton today with a series of events set to take place,  celebrating the influence and contributions made by the black community over the years. The city formally recognised Black History Month 15 years ago – through the work of founding members, Don John and Jayanti Shah. It is now established