reviewed by Frances Churchward. This book gives a factual account by Aleaxandra Fuller of her life growing up in southern Africa. At the start of the story, Alexandra has flown from Wyoming, where she has lived since 1994, to Budapest in order to be at the bedside of her...
Creative writing: Home for the Holidays
by Katie Isham. “I know, I’m completely heartbroken I can’t make it this year,” I bite my lip as the smile bubbles up again and I thank the lord I didn’t FaceTime. The one time my mother’s lack of technological ability has worked in my favour. If she could...
Recipe: gingerbread biscuits
This recipe is courtesy of the Upper Shirley High School food and nutrition department. It’s really quick and simple to make and would make a lovely gift over the festive season and is suitable for vegans. Ingredients • 80g dairy free spread • 70g dark muscovado sugar • 70g...
Opinion: The nation is not a household – comparing national and family budgets is nonsense
by Chris Oakes-Monger The unnecessary damage to our wealth caused by treating government spending like a family budget. This week a group of leading economists wrote to the BBC. In a report not untypical of the bulk of BBC news and current affairs coverage of government borrowing during the...
Suburban Safari: a little light stroll
by Katie Isham. In a year as dark as 2020 has been, it’s no wonder people are keen to bring light into their lives. The streets of Southampton are ablaze with twinkles; this is the year everyone has raided The Range for more rope lights and flashing neon than...
Local authors launch new book of Southampton’s stories
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...
Forget big stadiums, small is beautiful with Micro Music
by Tony King. Micro Music was born out of an enjoyment of watching live music in small venues. There is something about the intimacy of seeing musicians in small confines where you get to really appreciate them that is quite magical. And what better way to appreciate it than...
New Forest children’s Christmas trail
by Sally Churchward. This self guided Christmas trail was written for use in the New Forest, but should be suitable for most woodland areas. Cut and paste it onto your own document, making sure that the answers are on a separate sheet! It indicates that a prize is on...
The sometimes surprisingly radical history of the humble tea towel
by Martin Brisland. In life you often start in one direction and end up going in another. I was researching the history of radicalism in our region (Southampton) with a view to writing an article for In Common. I started off looking into the Independent Labour Party and ended...
Book review: The Pact We Made by Layla AlAmmar
reviewed by Frances Churchward. The Pact We Made is the author’s first novel . The story is told by Dahlia, the younger daughter of well-off Kuwaiti parents. Dahlia is approaching her thirtieth birthday and her mother is anxious that she should marry as she fears that Dahlia is in...