On May 31st, Southampton’s dreams of becoming City of Culture 2025 were dashed, when it was announced that the award was going to Bradford. However, for the first time, all three runners up, including Southampton, are being awarded a grant of £125,000 by the Department of Culture, Media and...
Features
Photography for mental health
by Mike Daish. I struggle from time to time with my state of mind and can get quite down and isolate myself . With the isolation and low mood comes a lack of exercise; I stop simply getting outside for a bit of fresh air. Recently I have started...
Southampton’s first People’s Pride Party in the Park exceeds expectations
Words: Martin Brisland. Pictures: Mike Daish. Additional pictures: Hannah Barber. The People’s Pride Party in the Park in Southampton on the 11th and 12th June was a total success. (Read about the event’s origins here). The sun was shining for this fully inclusive event, the atmosphere was brilliant and...
New project exploring lesbian experiences of community in Southampton seeks participants
by Dr Elizabeth Reed. Researchers at the University of Southampton are currently recruiting participants for a project exploring lesbian people’s experience of community in the city, through the pandemic. Southampton’s City of Culture bid celebrated our diverse communities and cultures and set out a plan to make our city...
Southampton missed out on being crowned City of Culture 2025 but the city still dares to dream big
by Sally Churchward. Hopes of Southampton becoming City of Culture 2025 were dashed last night, when Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nadine Dorries announced that Bradford had won the title. Southampton, and fellow runners up Durham and Wrexham, didn’t leave empty-handed though as, for the...
Satvir Kaur on her journey from inner city shop girl to the new leader of Southampton City Council
Words by Sally Churchward. Pictures by Chris Moorhouse. Following the local elections on May 5, 2022, the Labour Party took control of Southampton City Council. Satvir Kaur, the council’s new leader, reflects on her journey from Southampton’s inner city to being in charge of her home city, becoming the...
The arrival of Basque refugee children to Southampton 85 years ago was remembered at a ceremony at the weekend
by Martin Brisland. “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” – this 19th Century spiritual song has had many versions, notably by Paul Robeson in the 1920s. It was sung by him at a 1930s charity fundraising concert for the Basque children at the Albert Hall. The song was...
Tribute: remembering a friend to many, Jim O’Sullivan
by Lew. Last Sunday, Southampton lost a dear son as Jim O’Sullivan passed away unexpectedly. He was a familiar and beloved person in and around Southampton, particular within the music and arts community. His dedication to local music was also proven by his meticulously woven alternative music podcasts. As...
Pleasure Beyond Measure – free online local music archive for Southampton
Phase 2: The Pete Holden Bequest by Geoff Wall. Southampton has always boasted an incredibly diverse and prolific local music scene, but lacking any major commercial success or identifiable sound (prior to Craig David and Artful Dodger), the spotlight has fallen elsewhere. As a consequence, far too many bands...
Ukrainian refugees helped to settle in Southampton with community effort
by Sally Churchward. A group of Southampton residents are pulling together to help get Ukrainian refugees settled and established in the city. Melanie Tudjaroglu and her friend Kasia Davenport have been amongst those volunteering at the city’s Polish Club to help sort and pack donations for Ukrainian refugees. With...