By Christopher Taylor. On 23rd March 2025, Ed Sheeran shared a letter in this Facebook post calling for the Labour Government to ‘repair decades of dismantling music’ through an increase of support for young musicians. His five-point proposal focuses on increasing music provision in schools through increased funding,...
Applause review: Copenhagen, Masker’s Theatre Company
By Charlotte Ndupuechi. The Maskers Theatre does it again! This place really is such a local gem. Copenhagen by Michael Freyn was delivered to such a high standard by the Southampton-based amateur company. Three characters, and three chairs were all that was needed to deliver this highly emotional and...
Opinion: ‘public transport cuts will leave residents cut off from everyday life’
By Susan Dorsett, leaf for Knightwood/Valley Park Campaigners. Written in response to Hampshire County Council rejecting petition and letters hand delivered by disabled bus pass holders in March 2025. This is another devastating, frustrating blow to our disabled residents, not just within Knightwood/Valley Park, but throughout our beautiful, glorious...
Erasure’s Andy Bell comes to Bournemouth on spring tour
Image by Sean Black. Andy Bell has recently shared a new track, ‘Dance For Mercy’, the latest to be taken from his forthcoming solo album, Ten Crowns – set for release on May 2nd. The album coincides with a spring 2025 tour – full details below – beginning on...
Opinion: My mixed feelings around Trans Day of Visibility
By Mabel Wellman. Every year, 31st March is Trans Day Of Visibility. This is a day to celebrate the incredible people in our community and the achievements we have made to society. Whether that be in fighting for the rights of all people in the LGBT community, such...
Reader’s letter: Ever since I came out as trans, it’s been more dangerous to be transgender
By Devin Valentine. Every year since I came out as a transgender man in 2011, it’s become more and more dangerous to be transgender – not less. Let that sink in… And I’m not talking about for me, I’m fine – day to day nobody on the street would...
Hampshire’s DiElle to launch new album next month
DiElle, from Wickham, is set to launch her latest album, Atlas on the 13th April in Portsmouth —this is a collection of songs inspired by her love of travel, adventure, and the journeys of the heart and soul. Atlas is a deeply personal project, shaped by the places she...
Reader’s letter: We condemn misleading and inflammatory coverage of local school’s Easter plans
By Adnan Chaudry, Southampton Stand Up To Racism. Southampton Stand Up To Racism strongly condemns the misleading and inflammatory coverage by sections of the media regarding Norwood Primary School’s decision on its Easter celebrations. We are also deeply concerned by the involvement of MPs who do not represent the...
Book Review: Ginseng Roots by Craig Thompson
By Laura McCarthy. Ginseng Roots is part memoir and part history of Asia, in which graphic novelist Craig Thompson tells the narrative of his life, exploring his working class roots, stemming from a childhood spent farming ginseng in Wisconsin. The thread of ginseng runs throughout the novel, as we...
Reader’s letter: why we held an emergency vigil for Gaza
By Southampton Palestine Solidarity Campaign. On Friday 21st March concerned people from many different backgrounds held an Emergency Vigil in Southampton outside the Civic Centre. This was to protest against Israel breaking the terms of the ceasefire and refusing to move to Stage 2 of the agreed ceasefire deal. Instead...