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...
Southampton protest against transphobia
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...
Southampton: a tale of two universities
by Martin Brisland. Southampton is one of a handful of places with two universities; the University of Southampton and Solent University. They attract about 40,000 full and part time students including many from abroad, making us a truly cosmopolitan city. This has a major positive economic impact. Solent has...
Not Being Busy (from the diary of a neurotic woman)
by a neurotic woman. I have spent most of my life being a very busy person. During my professional life as a teacher, I always had projects lined up, often redecorating a room in my house, to see me through the school holidays. Weekends tended to be filled with...
Nick Mabey – writer
I often describe myself as a father, partner or brother and sometimes a coach, teacher or mentor. I rarely say I am a writer even though I do write a lot, personally and professionally. Most of my writing is self-published and so In Common is a new experience for...
Chris Moorhouse – photographer
I’ve worked in photography for about twenty five years. My influences include Asadour Guzelian, Brian Harris, Jane Bown and Eamonn McCabe, as well as my English teachers at school, Mr Jenkins and Mr Purcell, both of whom encouraged a love of story-telling. It’s probably fair to say that the internet...
Book review: The Illustrated Child by Polly Crosby
reviewed by Frances Churchward. This book is the story of a young girl, Romilly, who lives in a ramshackle house with her father. Before moving to this house Romilly, from the age of four, and her father led a nomadic life, at one point as part of a travelling...
Easing the lockdown: my first walk outside
word and photos by Mike Daish. Today I took my first walk in a little over two months. Due to a medical condition I was informed that I should isolate in my home for 12 weeks. I am still isolating but am now allowed to leave the house. I...
Charlie Hislop – writer
Charlie Hislop I would say I’m a writer, but I don’t do it enough to say that – yet. I’m a father of creative grown-ups, a long-distance cyclist, music lover, and I struggle with life a bit. I’ve always believed that people should be heard and have a seat...
Album review: Live at Hewood Farm by Chateau Bateau Band
reviewed by Charlie Hislop. At a time when the world seems to be just a series of angry and sad emojis, it great to get the chance to get the big heart emoji out and splash it around. But that’s what I’m doing to the new album by Southampton’s...