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

Well-known human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has become a patron of People’s Pride Southampton. Best known for his work on LGBTQ+ rights, Mr Tatchell becomes the charity’s second patron, alongside author and campaigner Dr Sophie Cook.  A spokesperson for People’s Pride Southampton said “This reflects the values shared by PPS and Peter Tatchell. Those values

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

Theatre Royal Winchester has announced that, due to the continuing effects of the Covid pandemic, their pantomime, Aladdin, scheduled to take place this Christmas, has been postponed until 2021. Deryck Newland, Chief Executive of Play to the Crowd, the charity that runs Theatre Royal Winchester, said ‘We’ve had to take this heartbreaking decision to postpone

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

Southampton’s Turner Sims Concert Hall invites you to an online concert tomorrow – Friday, April 24, at 8pm. Harvey Brough, Clara Sanabras and the University of Southampton Voices have postponed their live event to Friday 4 December – BUT in place of their original date, they present a special online event to enjoy from the

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

A gothic masterpiece of tempestuous passions and dark secrets comes to Theatre Royal Winchester from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 March. Adapted from Charlotte Bronte’s masterpiece, Jane Eyre tells the thrilling story of an orphan girl and her journey from a childhood of loneliness and cruelty to a life at Thornfield Hall and an unlikely

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 Cartherine Collins. Back by popular demand following huge success on Broadway and the West End, the Tony Award winning musical Million Dollar Quartet comes to Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, from 10 – 14 March 2020.  This worldwide smash hit musical – inspired by the famous recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis

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

Theatre Royal Winchester is looking forward to the roaring 20s again, with a host of intimate jazz nights, which will see talented singers and musicians performing in the venue’s stylish new Cafe Bar. The first event, which takes place on Thursday, 16 January, will see Jon Shenoy and Sam Dunn, a clarinet and guitar duo,

by Sally Churchward. A new year means a whole new season of fantastic performances at The Art House in Above Bar, Southampton. One of the upcoming gigs that staff and volunteers at the community venue are most excited about is Lunatraktors, coming to the intimate venue on February 8, with support from Foot / Long.

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

by Chris Richards. The Christmas season is not complete without a pantomime so why not choose Dick Whittington at The Theatre Royal Winchester? Dick Whittington comes from the same team behind last year’s Beauty and the Beast – writer and director James Barry and composer Simon Slater – who were this year nominated for 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. More than 30 years since The Commitments first burst from the pages of Roddy Doyle’s best-selling novel, the world’s hardest working and most explosive soul band are set for the Mayflower Theatre stage from 8 to 13 February 2021.  The Commitments tells the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, a young working-class music fan,

by Catherine Collins. Matthew Bourne’s double Olivier award-winning, smash hit production of The Red Shoes returns to Mayflower Theatre from 24 to 28 March, 2020. A sell-out before its world premiere season opened in 2016, this triumphant adaptation of the legendary film returns , having won two Olivier Awards and dazzled audiences across the UK and

Children and teenagers are being given the opportunity to sing on Theatre Royal Winchester’s beautiful stage, during the half term holiday later this month. On Wednesday 30 October, youngsters aged eight to 18 can take part in a workshop called Sing It! In a Day. Held at the theatre, they will spend the day rehearsing

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

by Catherine Collins. Band of Gold was the ground-breaking crime drama that captivated over 15 million viewers each week when it aired on ITV and it’s coming to the Mayflower Theatre stage from 4-8 February 2020.Following the huge, sell-out success of Fat Friends the Musical, Kay Mellor makes a triumphant return in the world premiere stage production of her

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 Catherine Collins. The musical mystery comedy is heading for Southampton. Jason Manford will head to Mayflower Theatre in the hilarious whodunit, Curtains, from 7 to 11 April, 2020. From the Tony Award-winning creators of Cabaret and Chicago, the production tells the story of Jessica Cranshaw, star of the new Broadway-bound musical Robbin Hood, who has been

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

by Catherine Collins. The sensational West End hit, Motown the Musical, is bringing its toe-tapping sounds to the stage at Mayflower Theatre next week. It’s the thrilling tale of Berry Gordy – the man who broke barriers and fought against the odds to create something more than just a record label. Discover the story behind

Getting to health appointments can cause a lot of stress. Hospitals and GP surgeries have limited parking, while bus services can be mixed or non-existent. At the same time, Southampton City Council is keen to see more people walk, cycle and use other healthy modes of active travel. By adopting non-polluting forms of transport, exposure

by Catherine Collins and Lewis MacLean. Southampton is set to come alive with the biggest and best free music event returning to the city this weekend. Music in the City is back with more than 170 acts performing in 22 unique venues, including the historic God’s House Tower, King John’s Palace and Lankester Vault –

St. James’ Park, SO15 5SD.  Sunday 22 September 10.30am-3pm For the 5th year in a row, St. James’ Park is holding its annual dog show and family fun day. Taking place at the park in Shirley, Southampton on Sunday, September 22, the event will see a record number of stalls, in addition to a whole

The next exhibition to come to John Hansard Gallery, part of the University of Southampton,will be Waves and Forms, a keynote exhibition by Haroon Mirza. Running from October 19 to January 11, the exhibition highlights the artist’s ongoing exploration of waveforms: how they are perceived, the emotional and physical responses they create and the various