Community campaigners, disability rights groups, and local charities have come together to oppose planned cuts to Hampshire County Council’s Concessionary Travel Scheme. These cuts would restrict the ability for disabled and older persons’ bus pass holders to travel at key times. The proposed cuts, coming into effect on the...
Local News
October Books to hold Valentine’s poetry fundraiser
Southampton’s only community-owned bookshop makes an urgent appeal for support this Valentine’s: October Books Poetry Fundraiser. Amid the chaos of everyday life, creating and nurturing creative, safe spaces in our city has never been more essential. This Valentine’s weekend, make a meaningful impact by joining Southampton’s October Books for...
Hampshire given the green light for devolution by joining the Devolution Priority Programme
By Mabel Wellman. Picture by Mike Daish. At the beginning of January the four “main” councils of Hampshire took to vote on whether or not to be included on the Devolution Priority Programme. These were the Isle Of Wight, Southampton City, Portsmouth City and Hampshire County Councils. Devolution would...
Seed Swap at Bitterne Station this spring
Local community food growing project, Bitterne Park Growing Places, has teamed up with Southampton Seed Swap to organise this year’s seed swap on Saturday 8 March at Bitterne Station from 11am to 2pm. The event is free to attend but donations are welcome to cover costs. A wide selection...
Community rallies behind popular Southampton venue Board in the City
By Mabel Wellman. Award winning board game café Board In The City CIC has been blown away by the support that their GoFundMe fundraiser has received since it was opened this week. The cafe is struggling with bills built up during covid and had an extra blow when a...
Hundreds of anti-racist demonstrators gather for Southampton counter-protest
Hundreds of local anti-racist protesters gathered in Southampton city centre to tell UKIP supporters they were not welcome in the city. UKIP leader Nick Tenconi announced his intention to march through the city, calling for mass deportations, in December, after a Southampton pub cancelled a booking he had made...
Community bakery celebrates 3rd official birthday by offering free cake
A Southampton community bakery that is the commercial venture for a charity in the city is celebrating its third official anniversary this month by offering visitors free birthday cake. CommuniBakes in Shirley was taken over in 2021 to solely support the charity Communicare, which is dedicated to eradicating loneliness...
Victorious Festival wraps up an award-winning year
Photo credit: Tom Langford Victorious Festival 2024 marked a milestone year, earning national recognition, making significant charitable contributions, and driving economic prosperity in Portsmouth. Community Impact 2024 was a fantastic year for Victorious enabling the festival to continue its Victorious in the Community work. This year the festival is proud...
Southampton council criticised for handing city rebrand to London firm
By Sally Churchward. Southampton City Council (SCC) has come under fire for handing a lucrative contract to rebrand the city to a London agency, without giving local companies the chance to bid for the work. After In Common discovered that SCC chose not to invest the £80,000 contract locally,...
Mayfield Garden Centre reopens after major revamp
Mayfield Garden Centre, part of Hampshire’s largest mental health charity Solent Mind, has officially reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Lord Mayor, Councillor David Shields and Jude Gardner, Acting Operations Manager for Southampton Services at Mayfield Garden Centre, cut the ribbon. Members of the local community, and Solent Mind employees...