Duck
& Coverage (2nd June 2004)
Rubberduck.tv is the latest thing to hit the streets of Winchester
thanks to a group of screen production students from King Alfred’s
College. Lindsey Eudo-Mitchell Reports.
The students launched the website with a rubber duck film showing
the cheerful yellow toys indulging in some sinister looking activities.
They rose from under water, crept from under carpets and congregated
around the corpse of a TV recently thrown from a window.
The Intranet TV channel and internet websites were launched on Thursday
Night in front of an audience of students, teachers and other interested
parties.
The site was designed by 19-year-old Dan Garraway,
A King Alfred’s student who already has his own Winchester
based web design company.
His partner in crime was Alex Perrelet, who had the job of organising
all the marketing for the project and organise he did!
Alex had littered the college with hundreds of yellow rubber ducks
after deciding that he needed something to grab people’s attention.
Alex said: “I’m so relieved it worked. I haven’t
slept in weeks. I’ve been worried that no-one was going to
turn up and it would just be me and the press.”
Development of the site was all handled by Mike Cartwright, a friend
of Dan’s who did all the work for free.
Zenith Sat, the Fareham based satellite service, also came up trumps,
helping throughout the project and broadcasting the launch live
on the web.
The website splits into three areas; ‘reel talent’, a
site for aspiring actors, dancers and reporters, ‘WinFreeSpeech’,
a site which hopes to break down the boundaries between various
sections of the community though a peoples forum, and ‘Extra
Time!’ a Match of The Day style site covering the College’s
sports teams.
Extra Time celebrated the launch of the site with a bar football
game. The prize of 48 cans of lager went to the winner.
An Extra Time spokesman said: “the sports teams can watch themselves
and their girlfriends can go ooh.”
The group are now looking for people who might be interested in
sponsoring, providing links or contributing to their site so if
you think you can help log on to www.rubberduck.tv
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White Wedding (2nd June
2004)
I heard an amusing wedding story the other day. The happy couple,
renowned for their party spirit, repaired to the toilets during
the ceremony for a bit of ‘chemical enhancement.’
A waiter caught them and kicked them out of their own wedding. Explain
that to the in-laws! A wedding in Bishops Waltham was almost ruined
last week due to ‘suspicious white powder’ of a different
sort. The happy couple and ten guests had to be evacuated from their
wedding marquee in the grounds of Bishops Waltham palace. Two guests
had complained of a nasty taste in their mouth and itching. The
marquee was found to be covered in a strange white powder. The betrothed,
Richard Clark and Alison Nealis, ended up celebrating their wedding
four hours late. They and the guests had to wear green contamination
suits, and their wedding dinner was fish and chips! Mr Clark said
of the event “of all the things that you think could go wrong
with a wedding, you do not think about a chemical war!” A resident
of Bishops Waltham said “the reaction from the fire service
was enormous. I really thought a serious attack had taken place.”
Obviously the threat of a terrorist attack is something that should
be taken seriously, but why Osama Bin Laden would be targeting a
wedding in Bishops Waltham is beyond me!
It turns out that the powder was most likely the discharge from
a fire extinguisher. Police recovered an empty canister from near
the marquee. Two 17 year olds have been arrested over the incident,
in an investigation that involved more than 70 police, ambulance
and fire personnel. Police are expecting more arrests.
PC Martin Gibson, from Bishops Waltham, said “It was a very
serious incident, and some of the guests did have a reaction to
the powder, although we now realise it is fairly innocuous.”
The powder also killed a lot of the grass under the marquee.
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Westwood Ho! (2nd June
2004)
As part of the national Youth Music initiative, Radio 1’s superstar
DJ, Tim Westwood visited the Tower Arts Centre, in Winchester, to
host an exclusive music workshop for local children. Sam Leyden
reports.
Think you know about handshakes? Think again, my friend. When Tim
Westwood arrives on the scene, his fans are treated to an array
of greetings and gestures that is nothing short of incredible: fingers
are snapped, wrists are clicked, elbows thrust upwards and chests
banged against each other in a mark of true brotherly affection...
Man, this guy is cool.
His fans swarm around him as soon as he steps out of his car (itself
a souped-up 4x4 with blacked-out windows – the very epitome
of rudeboy chic). They twist their caps round and pose next to his
number plate (RAP 30X). One ardent follower has dragged his hifi
speakers along for Westwood to autograph. The star is only too happy
to oblige.
In a couple of days, Mr Westwood will be back in Winchester, playing
to an audience of thousands at the Homelands festival, one of the
star attractions at the site’s new Hip Hop Arena. Today, though,
he is living up to one of his genre’s maxims: yes, Westwood
is ‘keeping it real’. What’s more, he’ll be
giving us advice on how to do the same.
It’s just gone five o’clock, and the youth are filing
into the theatre. Westwood, meanwhile, is in the toilets. He adjusts
his sweater, strikes a couple of poses at the mirror, and he’s
ready.
Sitting recumbent in his chair, microphone in one hand, Westwood
is every bit as chilled as one would imagine.
As a patron of two charities – a young offenders’ institute
and Body & Soul, which works with young people dealing with
HIV – the world-renowned star is used to passing on his knowledge.
He starts off his talk by giving us a potted history of his career
to date. Through 10 years hosting Radio 1’s legendary Rap Show,
Westwood has become something of a household name. It would be easy
to forget, though, the struggle that – as almost every DJ knows
– precedes such success. Westwood talks openly about his rise;
from working in bars, putting on events, to getting slots on pirate
radio and, later, on Capital FM.
His ‘rags-to-riches’ tale is interspersed with anecdotes
about working with the stars. Ever wanted to know what Dr Dre is
really like? Just ask Westy (apparently he doesn’t get high
any more because he’s too busy in the studio).
On the subject of drugs, Westwood offers some advice for aspiring
DJs: “A lot of artists are not getting high – 50 Cent
doesn’t smoke, Jay Z doesn’t smoke... I don’t think
I could have kept my momentum up if I was getting high.” Perhaps
most astonishing, however, was the revelation that “There’s
only a couple of people in the rap game now who are getting high...
And that’s Method Man and Redman.” Now that we did not
know!
After his talk, Tim invites questions from the audience. He talks
openly about all aspects of ‘the game’, and has plenty
of advice to offer the wannabe stars: suggesting which decks one
should invest in (Technics, even though they’re “mad dough”);
discussing the merits of a ‘street team’ (“they put
me up with the latest of what’s happening on the streets, you
know, the slang or whatever... Yeah, the street team is mad important”);
and underlining the importance of not getting caught up in the ‘nonsense
of the game’ (something which was “mad fundamental”
to him).
So, following Westwood’s informal lecture on superstardom,
what better way to continue the entertainments than with demonstrations
from a couple of aspiring performers hoping to follow in his footsteps.
Homelands organisers, Mean Fiddler, together with the Youth Music
foundation, recently ran a competition to discover talented young
artistes in the region, the two winners of which have been awarded
a slot at the prestigious music event.
It was a tough gig for first winner, DJ Slayer. A 10-minute slot
to a small seated audience is never going to be an easy ride for
a trance DJ, particularly when the assembled have just been told
– and by a superstar DJ, no less – that dance music is
dead. Nonetheless, his mixing is seamless and his choice of thumping
tunes will, no doubt, prove most welcome when he rips it up on the
main stage this Saturday.
The next man up, Mr Mouth, is a top notch beatboxer. For those unfamiliar
with this most unlikely of activities, beatboxing involves, DJing
without decks. Confused? You should be – armed with just a
microphone, Mr Mouth mixes, scratches, sings and raps, all at the
same time! Like his hero, Rahzel, or fellow-Homelander, Killa Kela,
Mr Mouth with leave you both astonished and confused. His slot,
at 4.00pm in the Hip Hop Arena, should prove a festival highlight
for all who catch it. Respect due.
Talking to Tim Westwood afterwards, it’s clear that he holds
high hopes for both of the winners. After all, they’ve both
clearly adopted his ethic of hard work to get this far. “There’s
a strong do-it-yourself ethic within the scene,” he says, “and
hard work pays off.”
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Free
Wheeling (9th June 2004)
Daniel Farrer could not believe his luck when he got a phone call
telling him he had won a top of the range mountain bike worth
hundreds of pounds.
The GIANT mountain bike was awarded to Dan by the Mid Hampshire
Observer in conjunction with the Peter Hansford cycle shop.
The Mid Hampshire Observer wanted to reward Daniel for all the
hard work he has put in as a paper boy. Daniel has been out there
getting The Observer to a news hungry public, come rain or shine,
for over three years now. Jez Walder, Managing Director of the
Mid Hampshire Observer, said “ Daniel has always been reliable,
and he has worked hard for us over the years. This is just our
way of saying thank you.”
Daniel, who lives in Kingsworthy, said “I really enjoy my
paper round. I have done it every week, and I use the money towards
my army cadets training.” Dan is training towards a career
in the army. “I am going to go to Eastleigh College to study
public services, and then hope to go into the army.” Daniel
was happy to be getting a new bike. “I have got a bike,”
he said, “but it is old and on the blink, so it is great
to get a new one.”
Daniels’ mother said “he gets himself up every morning
and he is out there in all weathers. I am very proud of him.”
Well done Daniel from everyone here at The Observer.
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Kids
Out! (10th June 2004)
The biggest movement of children since the evacuations of World
War II saw 20,000 disadvantaged youngsters enjoy a fun packed
day on Wednesday June 9.
The children who in many cases have special needs were taken to
zoos, theme parks, museums and farms. 1000 Hampshire children
from 50 schools were treated to a day at Paulton's Park where
staff were celebrating their 13th year with the KidsOut scheme.
John Garner, Chief Executive of KidsOut said: “A day out
gives the children self confidence and self esteem with adults
who really care and that’s very important these days.”
70,000 volunteers, many from Rotary groups helped to make the
day happen by chauffeuring the groups to and from the events.
Around a quarter of a million pounds was spent on making sure
that everyone had a great time. John said: “We would like
to extend our grateful thanks to Rotary for helping us organise
the day” Two photo competitions were held, the first for
the best Rotary member’s photo and the second for the best
child's photo.
Sodexho catering company sponsored the adult competition putting
up a prize of £1000 for the rotary group and £1000
for the school they chauffeured for. Next sponsored the children’s
competition with a £300 prize for the best child’s
picture. Rotary Organiser Stephen Lowe said: “We hope that
the children will take home with them lasting memories of a fantastic
day out.”
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Test Valley opens its doors
to art (10th June 2004)
Open Art will take place from the 5 - 20 June this year. With even
more open studios/workshops, exhibitions and events, there is something
to suit everyone’s taste during the two-week celebration. Over
eighty talented artists are taking part throughout the valley from
Andover, Stockbridge and Romsey.
Professional artists, amateurs, local societies, school children
all look forward to and take part in the festival. The Open Art
festival is your chance to discover the hidden processes of creativity
in the valley and uncover the talent that might be hiding in next
door’s garage or loft!
Open Art will be officially launched at Project Workshops, Quarley,
on Saturday 5 June. The Workshops will be hosting a Gala Evening
and Private View for all the Open Art artists and the team. There
will be ten Open Studios and an exhibition of new work by thirty
visiting artists. Tickets are £7.50 and can be booked on 01264
889889, this ticket will also give you free admission to the day
time event at The Fairground Craft and Design Centre.
The Fairground Craft and Design Centre, at Weyhill, will be hosting
a summer fair on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 June from 11am – 5pm.
There will be demonstrations, open workshops from its twelve residents,
an exhibition and sale of artwork from visiting artists, hog roast,
music and refreshments. Admission to this event is £1.00 to
adults and will give you a £1.00 discount entry to Project
Workshops.
Andover Guildhall will be a focal point for Open Art this year,
eight different societies and groups will be using the exhibition
space on both floors throughout the festival. The many Test Valley
Schools have been working hard in preparation for their exhibition
in the Guildhall to conclude Open Art on Saturday 19 and Sunday
20 June. Work ranging from primary schools to GCSE level will be
displayed under the themes of ‘Sensational’ ‘Colour’
and ‘Identity’. So come along and see the budding creative
talent the Valley has to offer.
The established Andover artists will be opening their studios to
show their new works and talk to visitors. Don Saddington, Daniel
Lobb, Caroline Green, Kevin Green, Ruth Facey, Patricia Hilton-Robinson,
Clarissa Russell, Paula Vize and Renate West all feature in the
Open Art brochure and are open during the two weeks. Clarissa and
Patricia will be holding workshops; details for booking are also
in the brochure.
On Friday 10 June there will be a repeat of last years successful
Guided Art Tour, perfect if you do not have your own transport.
The tour will run for the whole day, for only £7.00 you can
experience a truly cultural day out, touring some of the individual
studios and group exhibitions. This is a fantastic way to see some
of the rural studios in Test Valley with a pick up at 10am and drop
off at 4.30pm both from Beech Hurst. Book on to the trip by calling
the Open Art office on 01264 368839.
To find out about other free events and open studios get a free
brochure from a Tourist Information Centre, library or local art
shop in Test Valley, telephone 01264 368839 or visit www.openart.info
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Fly Fishing by G.H.W Bush
(10th June 2004)
George Bush Senior came and stayed in a hotel near Winchester last
week, to indulge in a spot of fly fishing. Max Jones Reports.
The ex president of America, who ruled the country from 1988-92,
stayed at Lainston House, near Sparsholt, for four nights. He was
accompanied by an entourage of CID officers, secret agents and assistants.
George Bush is best remembered for Desert Storm, the first war on
Iraq. He made such a pig’s ear of this that his son., George
W Bush had to go in and finish the job recently. George W Bush is
the current President of America. His father was enjoying a spot
of fishing whilst over in england. How he can relax knowing that
the person he spawned is running around doing his damnedest to kill
us all is beyond me, but there you go.
According to the manager of Lainston House, Julian Tomlin, George
Bush caught several fish. He was also very friendly to the other
guests. “He was a very personable sort of gentleman,”,
said Julian. “There was little disruption, as we try and keep
this kind of thing to a minimum. he was happy to eat in the main
dining room for lunch and dinner every day, and shake the hands
of the other guests. The hotel is used to famous people coming to
stay. The hotel has hosted visits from the various celebrities.
These include the England football team, John Cleese, Jamie Lee
Curtis and Kevin Kline, and various members of European royalty.
George Bush’s old mate Margaret Thatcher has even stayed there
before. It is not surprising the hotel is so popular. The four star,
50 room mansion sits in 63 acres of beautiful countryside, with
views to die for, and the menu is widely regarded as one of the
best in Hampshire.
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Out Voted (16th June 2004)
Following Thursday's District Elections Winchester City Council
is now under no overall control, although the Liberal Democrats
remain the majority party.
Max Jones Reports.
The new make-up of the Council is as follows: Liberal Democrats
- 26 (29), Conservative - 22 (18), Labour - 4 (5), Independent -
5 (5). The Observer pinned its flag to the mast of independent candidate
Frank Williams. Frank was standing in the St Michaels ward of the
city. He was campaigning on an ‘honesty and the environment’
ticket. Unfortunately the ward was won by the Liberal Democrat councillor
John Beveridge. Mr Beveridge’s record on the environment is
a trifle shaky to say the least, as he was one of the people responsible
for the Bar End meadow debacle. Frank received 99 votes and said
he hopes to stand again next time. In St Michaels Ward the Liberal
beat the Conservatives by a margin of 71. the UK Independence Party
(UKIP) got 156 votes. I think we can safely assume that people voting
UKIP would be Tories, so it would seem that we have UKIP to thank
for John Beveridge getting back in.
This was echoed throughout the country, with UKIP gaining several
seats from the Conservatives. Labour were definitely sent a message
by the country, coming third nationally out of the big three.
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Sudan Death (17th June
2004)
Amnesty International and the World Health Organisation have warned
that a million lives could be at risk in the growing humanitarian
crisis in Sudan.
The government of Sudan, based in Khartoum, is backing an Arab militia
called the Janjaweed. These fighters are rampaging round a region
called Dafor, near the border with Chad, killing the black African
people living there.
The systematic slaying of everyone in their path by the Janjaweed
is taking on the proportions of a genocide. The residents of Dafor
are heading over the border into Chad in their tens of thousands
to escape the killing. This is leading to further huge loss of life,
as disease sweeps the ramshackle refugee camp that have been hastily
set up. With the rainy season approaching the situation can only
get worse. Those who have not been able to escape Dafor are living
in any public building they can find, thinking that safety in numbers
may save them.
However, they cannot leave their sanctuaries to gather wood or get
food and water for fear of the marauding gangs of the Janjaweed.
These militia charge around on camel back. They are supported by
targeted air strikes from the Sudanese air force. The black Africans
are fighting back, though, with several resistance groups having
been set up. However, this seems to only cause the Janjaweed to
attack with increasing vigour.
Various aid agencies are pleading with western governments to do
something, but so far they have had very little response. This lack
of interest comes only weeks after the tenth anniversary of the
genocide in Rwanda. This was where over million people from the
Tutsi tribe were killed by the Hutus. Despite repeated pleas for
help, the west turned their back on the slaughtered Tutsis. On the
tenth anniversary Tony Blair promised that the ‘free world’
would never allow such a thing to happen again. He does not seem
to be living up to his word.
The Red Cross, supported by the Red Crescent, has launched an appeal
to help the people of Dafor. Appeal posters are currently being
sent out to raise public awareness of the Sudanese crisis. As no
government help has been forthcoming, the Red Cross is reliant on
public donation. If you would like to donate on line then log on
to: www.redcross.org.uk, or call 0207 201 5041. You can also e mail
supportercare@redcross for more information. The money from the
appeal will pay for shelter and essential household items such as
blankets and kitchen sets for more than 200,000 families.
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Pilled
to Death (17th June 2004)
A Hampshire teenager died from massive organ failure after taking
‘at least 11’ ecstacy tablets, an inquest has heard.
17 year old Jack Elliot, who attended Peter Symonds College, lived
in Curdridge. On the evening in question he had been to the pub
with three friends, James Bush, James Stevens and Joseph Martin.
After a few whiskies and a pint, the friends had moved on to James
Steven’s house in the village to carry on partying. They
had started taking ecstacy after smoking cannabis.
DC Martyn Allen said “Jack had already had four whiskies
and a pint of lager and smoked cannabis at the party. The friends
were dancing to music and taking the ecstacy. By the time of Jacks
death it would appear he had taken 11 of the tablets.” A
man was later charged with selling the tablets.
Dr Adman al - Badri is the consultant pathologist at the Royal
Hampshire Hospital in Winchester. He said “tests revealed
that Jack died of multiple organ failure, as a a result of taking
ecstacy.” The post-mortem had revealed that Jack's brain
had swollen to nearly 15 per cent more than its usual weight.
Dr Badri also said that Jack had taken at least 11 of the tablets.
Jack had 10. 420 milligrammes of MDMA per litre of blood. MDMA
is the active ingredient in ecstacy. This level is the most ever
recorded. Previously the highest ever level was 7.72 milligrammes
per litre of blood. This was after the patient had allegedly taken
42 ecstacy pills. The average ecstacy pill contains around 90
milligrammes of MDMA, and the human body around five litres of
blood. So, whatever way you look at it Jack had a massive amount
of the drug in his system. This either means that Jack had taken
more than 11 of the tablets, or that there are some hugely strong
ecstacy tablets around. If the latter is true, then any ecstacy
users out there should be very careful.. The rules when taking
ecstacy seem to be taken them in moderation and always drink a
lot of water.
Grahame Short, the coroner, recorded a verdict of accidental death
at the inquest in Winchester.
Jack was studying history, physics and computing at Peter Symonds
College and had already secured a place at Oxford Brookes University
to study computer software engineering.
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Roll Up! Roll Up! (23rd
June 2004)
The award winning NoFit State Circus are at the North Walls Recreation
Ground, Winchester with their brand new production “ImMortal”.
NoFit State helped launch Winchester’s 30th Hat Fair (1st-4th
July) with an impromptu performance at the Slug and Lettuce last
week.
Winchester Mayor Jean Hammerton was on hand to help the performers
with their hula hoops.
NoFit State have an international reputation for innovative, exciting
and highly accessible circus. The NoFit State show is the highlight
of this year’s circus and theatre calendar – don’t
miss it!
North Walls Recreation Ground 25th June - 4th July. Shows 19.30
except Monday 28th June. Matinee Sat/Sun 15.00
Tickets £12/£8 students/concessions. Box Office 0870
1261771
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German Mustard (23rd
June 2004)
Residents had to be evacuated from their homes after the discovery
of chemical weapons on a building site in north Hampshire.
A glass bottle containing the deadly chemical mustard gas was found
on land at Bramley Camp, an MoD base near Bramley.
Contractors were clearing the site at 1.15pm on Monday, to make
way for 277 houses, when the gas - which burns the skin and airways
of victims - was found.
All work on the site was called to a halt and a specialist military
unit was called in to dispose of the chemical.
Meanwhile, police evacuated the residents of 28 homes in nearby
German Road and St Johns Close. They were advised to go to Bramley
Village Hall, where police officers kept them informed of the situation.
Notices were also posted through letterboxes of houses in surrounding
areas advising people to close their windows and stay inside.
Lindsey Andrews, of German Road, was among those evacuated, along
with her two children.
She said: "We were pottering around in the garden when a police
officer knocked on the door. When you have got two young children,
you can't be too careful. I just did what I was told."
The mustard gas was discovered by Helen Cross, a senior engineer
at Card Geotechnics, a firm of geo-environmental engineers that
was overseeing clearance of the site.
She noticed the bottles as machine driver Chuck Smith, from John
Stacey and Sons Ltd, was digging to a depth of about one metre to
remove Japanese knotweed from the site.
“The bottles were all labelled so I knew what they were straight
away,” she said.
“I called munitions experts BacTech and they told me to phone
the police and set up a 50m cordon, which I did.”
The bottles are thought to be part of an old Home Guard testing
kit used in the Second World War. The kit would have been used to
test men for biological or chemical agents.
Miguel Head, a spokesman for the MoD, said: “We are never complacent
about these things, so the bottles have been sent to the defence
laboratory at Porton Down, Wiltshire, for further testing.”
Residents were told it was safe to return to their homes at 5.30pm
and those in surrounding areas were advised that it was safe to
open windows and doors.
George Wimpey Ltd and Taylor Woodrow Developments, which have bought
the land from the MoD and applied for planning permission to build
the homes on the land, along with a nursing home, were unavailable
for comment.
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Oyez, Oyez, Oyez (24th
June 2004)
Test Valley Town Crier Allan Travell will be singing the praises
of Watercress when he competes in this years Loyal Company of Town
Criers’ British Championships.
The competition in Durham will see criers from 28 areas of the UK
performing town cries and specially written cries on a craft or
food specific to their area.
Alan, who formerly acted in Dad’s Army, Z Cars and Softly,
Softly said: “It’s good to take part in a competition
like this because you realise you’re not the only nutter in
the world.
“I prefer to be a traditionalist. Andover is a military town
so I wear a military style uniform. I am also the only official
oath sworn ale taster appointed by the Queen in this country.
“I have the right to walk into any public house and order a
quart of ale for tuppence. I’ve been thrown out of plenty of
pubs for trying it though.”
Allan chose to perform his cry on watercress and said: “I’ve
eaten it and I like eating it but all the other things about it
were fascinating.”
When researching watercress for his cry, Allan discovered the folklore
of the herb along with the qualities it is rumoured to possess.
His cry is based on the aphrodisiac, cleansing and baldness curing
properties of watercress and will be judged on presentation, content,
competence, clarity and ability to engage with the audience.
Andy Roberts, Harvesting Manager at Vitacress salads said: “Watercress
is doing really well at the moment and we just want to educate people
about it.”
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Stockbridge grocers
under threat (24th June 2004)
Stockbridge residents are up in arms about the potential closure
of Sykes Greengrocers.
There has been a shop on the site for over 100 years. The owners
of the land, Enterprise Inns, want to make the shop into a six bedroom
hotel with offices attached.
Enterprise Inns own The Vine pub, next door to Sykes. Sykes is a
great, old fashioned shop.
John Sykes has been running it for 14 years. They sell vegetables,
fish, pates and all manner of stuff. The food is all fresh, and
the prices are very reasonable. The volume of pensioners shopping
there on a Wednesday morning bore testament to that. They were led
by the indefatigable Molly Knox. “We are a community that is
largely made up of old folk. They cannot hop on buses to go to supermarkets,
and no one wants to have to rely on friends with cars. People like
to be independent.”
Anyone walking passed would get shanghaied by Molly to talk to me,
and everyone was unanimous in their support for the shop. Mrs Olive
Hoare, Mrs Fabray and Mrs Reid all live in sheltered accommodation.
“We use the shop regularly,” said Mrs Hoare. “He
is such a nice man, and would bend over backwards to help you. You
wouldn’t get that in one of the supermarkets.”
Local resident and ex TVS presenter James Montgomery said “it
is a bit like a David and Goliath. Enterprise Inns are a massive
corporation , and it seems to us like they want to change the face
of the village. The shop really is a pivotal point to the village,
and is very important for the elderly.”
People come to Stockbridge to have a walk round, and the shops are
part of the charm of the place. The butchers, Robinsons, is rightly
famous, and people finish off with a trip to the greengrocers. If
Sykes shuts down then it will have a knock on effect on the other
shops, as it would give people one more reason to go to the supermarket.
While they are there they would stock up on meat, bread and the
like, and the small, independent shops of Stockbridge would suffer.
Cathy Ridley has shown her support for the cause by making a large
floral replica of the Mud Maiden of Heligon. The mud maiden is one
of the main attractions at the lost gardens of Heligon, in Mevagissey,
Cornwall. The floral feature will be on show outside the shop for
a few days, then it is off to the church for the flower festival.
If anyone would like to show their support for the ‘save Sykes’
campaign they can sign the petitions in Robinsons butchers or the
post office in Stockbridge.
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