by Alex Thurley-Ratcliff. What prompts us to choose the homes we inhabit? Is it purely a financial decision, is it the space we need or is it deeper? Maybe it’s family pressures or maybe it’s a dream… Megan had always dreamt of living on a houseboat, so at age...
People in Common: Simon Cotton
by Sally Churchward. POLITICS run in Simon Cotton’s blood. As a child, he spent much of his time hanging out at his grandad’s house in Shirley, Southampton, where The Sun newspaper was banned, and where Simon was schooled in the importance of being in a union. The older man...
The Rebel Gardeners are coming for your street
by Alex Thurley-Ratcliff (I’m the one in the ‘wild’ t-shirt). So here’s the thing – I really don’t like concrete, tarmac and paving stones. Yes, yes, I know they’re useful and are probably the only way for a modern city to function – but seriously? Our cities are a...
People in Common: Marguerite Rayner
by Stephanie Palmer. “I firmly believe that you do volunteering totally for your own benefit.” That’s the self-deprecating start to my conversation with Marguerite Rayner, volunteer for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Retired housing officer Marguerite has spent nearly every Monday morning for the past four...
Health and fitness column: increase your energy, productivity and free time
by Gen Preece. Most people I meet these days ‘firefight’ their way through the day, certainly most of the ladies that contact me about personal training or joining boot camp, who are struggling to juggle work, kids, home and family life. There may be a bit of structure there, eg the...
Portrait of a poet: Dave Hubble
by Anita Foxall. If you are in touch with Southampton’s creative scene, Dave Hubble is a local artist and poet who you will almost certainly have heard of. Dave is a wonderful wordsmith and a committed visual artist, who uses a variety of materials to create fantastic pieces of...
Matt Canning – logo designer
I’m a graphic designer and illustrator, working for all sorts of local and international clients in a variety of disciplines. I also play in bands, and am currently working on a graphic novel. Check out my work here: https://www.instagram.com/matt_canning_illustration/
Sarah Groszewski – writer
I’m a collector of books (especially cookbooks) and gin, who also loves travel, eating out and dressmaking. Having grown up and studied in Southampton, I moved away for 12 years but returned to raise my kids near the coast. I am passionate about working with the community to make...
People in Common: Laxmi Morgan
by Sally Churchward. Laxmi Morgan, a carer from Southampton, is combining a huge home clear out with fundraising vital funds for charities which are close to her heart. As well as having a close friend who has suffered with ongoing mental health issues, and been sectioned, Laxmi has...
Lucy Rose – writer
I’ve lived in Southampton for close to eight years now, having originally moved here for university, graduating with degrees in Physics with Astronomy and a Masters in Creative Writing. Outside of academia, I’ve been acting since I was a wee lass, with standouts being a trip up to perform...