by Sally Churchward. The Illegal Migration Bill, one of the most controversial pieces of legislation to come before Parliament in recent years, passed its second reading in the Commons last night. The vote was passed by 312 votes to 250. No Conservative MPs voted against it, although 44 abstained....
Book review: Mother Power – A Feminist’s Guide to Motherhood by Poppy O’Neill
by Carolyn Thomas. This empowering read encourages mothers to jettison the guilt and self-sacrifice so often associated with modern parenting and to put their own mental and physical welfare needs front and centre. As author Poppy O’Neill puts it, ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup’ – meaning that...
March Under the Covers: Mothers in literature
by Carolyn Thomas. As we celebrate Mother’s Day in the UK this month I started thinking about the vast range of mother characters in literature. From the 19th century’s loving and capable ‘Marmee’ in Little Women, through to the resourceful and resilient 21st century ‘Ma’, held captive with her...
Reader reviews: Mo’s Forte poetry night, March 5
Mo’s Forte is a poetry open mic, with guest act to close, held on the 1st Sunday of each month from 6pm-8pm at the Hatch (Forte Kitchen), in Parchment Street, Winchester. The 5th of March 2023, was the debut night of Mo’s Forte, with Winchester based musician Blind Z...
Applause review: The Picture of Dorian Gray, Maskers Theatre
by Charlotte Ndupuechi. Going the Maskers Studio Theatre is always such a joy and living in Shirley, I’m very lucky to have this on my doorstep. From the moment you walk in you are met with a lovely warm welcome. The bar is incredibly reasonable, so it seems only...
After fighting back from serious ill-health, The Alarm’s Mike Peters is back with a new album and tour
The Alarm’s Mike Peters returns to public life after a year dominated by pneumonia and a serious leukaemia relapse, with the release of the video to ‘Forwards’, the title track from the band’s forthcoming album, out 2nd June, and a touring schedule, bringing the band to Southsea’s Wedgewood Rooms...
Review: Art House community pantry
by Joy McKay. If you haven’t already discovered it The Art House in Southampton is a performance venue and social centre on Above Bar, opposite The Guildhall. They offer live music, performance poetry, storytelling and comedy as well as workshops and classes, drop-in community cafe events, a community pantry and...
View from the Kingsland: Viva Women’s Football
by Nick Mabey. Earlier this week it was International Women’s Day and so I thought I’d take a break from the protracted misery, stress and occasional hope of the men’s team’s relegation battle to focus on celebrating the progress of women’s football, locally and nationally. This year’s theme is ...
Pride and Honour wrestling event, raising funds for People’s Pride Southampton, set for May
A charity wrestling event to raise money for People’s Pride Southampton is being held in the city this May. The aim of the event is to provide thrilling action for all the family whilst raising awareness of equality in wrestling and sports. The Pride and Honour wrestling event takes...
New intersectional community for trans people and allies, Siblings of Marsha, online and in Southampton
Siblings of Marsha is a new intersectional community of trans individuals and allies, including family and friends. It currently operates through Facebook, with in-person events to be based around Southampton. The founders explained “We centre people who are often left out of mainstream Pride events due to disability, or...