Born
With A Tail (3rd September 2003)
Marwell zoo, near Winchester recently welcomed a new member to their
family - a tiny snow leopard cub!
The cute cub was born on 6th July and named "Binu" after
a young Nepalese vet, Binu Shrestha, who worked at Marwell. Miss
Shrestha was sponsored by Marwell to work at the zoo after working
as a vet at the Central Zoo in Kathmandu. Like Binu Shrestha, snow
leopards originate from the mountains of central Asia.
Snow leopards first came to Marwell in 1977 and there have been
seventeen snow leopard cubs over the years. Marwell’s snow
leopards are well represented genetically around the world, as far
afield as; Shanghai, Munich, Dublin and France.
Snow leopards are an endangered species, the majestic cats have
been endangered by years of hunting for the fur trade and the destruction
of their natural habitat.
Top of page
Ebenezer Bad (3rd September
2003)
The infamous e-crew is making its mark all over Winchester. From
the huge graffitti tag on the Riverpark Leisure Centre, two weeks
ago, to the recent markings all over Winchester city centre.
Last week we reported that graffitti had appeared next to the skate
park at the leisure centre, which along with the ‘e crew’
motif had a welcome note reading ‘Welcome to Winch’. We
also noted that the Westgate School and Western Primary School had
been targetted.
Now though, the tags seem to be appearing everywhere. Take a walk
up the high street or around the Cathedral grounds and it’s
hard to miss the ‘e’s, scrawled in primary colours on
every surface. Another commonly-occuring tag is ‘TCS’.
Writing on walls has become more respected in the last few years.
When hip-hop first came to prominence in the eighties, graffitti
was up there with rapping and breaking as part of a new artistic
movement. Stencil artists such as Banksy, whose Turf War exhibition
was one of this year’s artistic highlights, have proved, eloquently,
how the wall of a toilet can be at least as good as a gallery as
a place for displaying a picture.
Our young spraycan-toting friends in Winchester, however, would
be lucky to earn themselves any such creative kudos - ironic, really,
when the e-crew’s favourite tagging ground appears to be around
the Winchester Art College. Their childish scribbles are unlikely
to afford them any more than a derisive glance from even the most
open-minded of art-critics.
The crimes, which appear to take place over night, have lead to
public concern over how well monitored the high street is and why
CCTV has not picked up the graffitti artists. Further questions
are looming as to whether there is rivalry between the different
graffitti taggers and what they actually stand for - if anything.
Graffitti can cause grief and offence and can also be very expensive
to remove. If and when the graffitti ‘artists’ get caught
they face prosecution by the courts for criminal damage. One supposes,
however, that the perpetrators are more encouraged in their destructive
activities by the threat of the law, than they are deterred.
Anyone with information on the recent crimes can contact crimestoppers
on 0800 555111. Conversely, if any of the e-crew wish to contact
us (anonymously) and tell us a little bit about themselves and what
they do, they can contact us on 01962 859559. We would love to hear
from you...
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Hammerton Caught (3rd September 2003)
On Friday, the Mayor of Winchester’s cricket team took on the
might of The Castaways, Winchester City Council’s staff cricket
team, in the Mayors 28th annual cricket match at North Walls Recreation
Ground.
The Mayor, Cllr Jean Hammerton, was asked to bowl the first ball
of the afternoon to signify the start of what was to be a close
match. The Castaways batted first and scored a respectable 131 from
their 24 overs. The Mayor’s team were only 15 runs short of
their target at the close, despite only having ten men. The Mayor’s
team included Cllr Richard Knasel, with Cllr Ian Bidgood as umpire.
On another part of the recreation ground, other City Council staff
were embroiled in a game of rounders and here, too, the Mayor bowled
the first ball. The two teams, captained by Coral Rogers, Assistant
Accountant, and Sue Blazdell, Environmental Health Officer, were
closely matched and Blazdell’s Babes - of both sexes - finally
beat Coral’s Crackers by just
one rounder. Cllr Jim Wagner was a member of Sue’s side.
Staff were thanked by the Mayor, who provided refreshments at the
interval, and tea, for all those who had taken part, at Abbey House
after the event.
"It is great to be able to offer the City Council staff an
afternoon out of the office, where they work so hard, and get them
involved in such an enjoyable event," said the Mayor.
Top of page
Highcliffe Low Lifes
(10th September 2003)
Residents in Highcliffe are being terrorised by a small band of
troublemaking youths who seem intent on ruining facilities for everyone.
Max Jones reports
Six or seven months ago the little treasures torched one of the
cricket pavilions on the King George 5th playing fields. This was
out of action for some time, and then it was rebuilt, at a cost
of thousands of pounds.
Within days the little blighters held an all night party in the
pavilion and trashed it all over again. Both pavilions are boarded
up at the moment. A resident I spoke to told me that he saw the
kids in action, and so he called the police. He said that the police
did not turn up for an hour, and when they did it was only one WPC,
so of course the youths just scarpered.
Due to an ancient bylaw, allotment holders are allowed to keep animals
in Highcliffe. The tearaways have killed animals on these allotments
on several occasions. At one point the owner of some ducks that
were slaughtered was going to take the gang who did it to court.
After weeks of intimidation the case had to be dropped.
"If you call the police and they catch these kids doing stuff
then they can prosecute them. This is not going to happen if the
police take an hour or more to come up here" said one resident.
He said that he had called the police on numerous occasions and
they had not turned up at all. "I don’t want to go to
court as a witness," said the resident "I have to live
here. I don’t want my car vandalised, my kids bullied or my
wife intimidated." He also questioned the wisdom of making
a new skatepark and playground where it will simply be vandalised
again and again.
"They trash everything," he said. "They broke the
windows in the church hall,they are always burning around on motorbikes,
they are very intimidating."
A police spokesman said that the alleged incidents had not been
reported and hence they could not be investigated.
Top of page
The Future’s not Bright
The Future’s Orange (10th September 2003)
Orange’s dismissal of MP Mark Oaten’s request to keep
looking for an alternative to the Byron Avenue phone mast site has
come as no surprise to campaigners.
The telecom giant has aggressively pursued this contentious site
close to houses and Western Primary School for almost three years.
Having won its appeal against Winchester Council, it was hardly
likely to switch to "nice guy" mode and suddenly start
listening to community concerns.
"Mr Oaten represents many more people than Orange but its reply
adopted the usual arrogant stance that we’ve come to know and
loathe," said campaigner, Karen Barratt. "After a few
highly selective quotes from the inspector’s report, it announces
Orange’s intention to erect the mast. They seem to have forgotten
that the council or any other "aggrieved" person can challenge
the decision in the high court."
When it comes to the "aggrieved" Byron Avenue community,
feelings are running high. The hundreds of people who object to
the mast are supported, not just by their MP, Mr Oaten, and local
councillors, but groups throughout the country. The press file (over
four hundred separate items) contains sympathetic reports from all
local press and among others, the Guardian business section, the
Sunday Telegraph and specialist journals, notably Environmental
Health News, which says in its current issue, "Until definitive
proof exists that there is no risk to health, it would seem eminently
advisable for mobile phone operators to avoid such sensitive locations."
Campaigners are mystified by Planning Inspector, Martin Pike’s
report, which agrees with much of the case against the mast but,
having stated that he is not required "to slavishly follow
government advice", inexplicably finds in Orange’s favour.
Cynics are wondering what happened in early August when the expected
decision announcement was delayed for a week without explanation.
Orange may come to regret choosing Byron Avenue as the battleground
in an attempt to impose its vision of the future on an unwilling
public. It has taken on the "educated, professional people"
(the inspector’s words), who do not intend to be bullied into
submission. Marketing campaigns aimed at children might make commercial
sense but it’s parents who pay the bills. In the case of Winchester,
guess whose phones they won’t be buying?
Top of page
Yarrow Marches On (10th
September 2003)
Max Jones reports on the story of a local farmer, who is hoping
that the Romsey Show will be the culmination of years of hard work.
Although for many thousands of people the foot and mouth epidemic
was a disaster, for Oliver Neagle it took on the form of a rather
unexpected window of opportunity...
Even as a young scamp at Toynbee Secondary School, Oliver had always
dreamt of owning his own herd of cows. Oliver says: "I hated
school and left as soon as I was 16 to get a job as a dairyman."
Several jobs with agricultural contractors followed, but still Oliver
dreamt of owning his own herd.
Farming runs in the Neagle family. Oliver was brought up on his
grandparents farm, and his family moved to their own farm in 1976.
His mother, Heather, was a champion cow owner, having bought up
a herd of Hiltonbury cattle. Her success culminated with winning
the supreme championship title at the 1999 Romsey Show.
However, due to rising costs and falling profits, she announced
to the family, in 2001, that she would be selling the herd. Imagine
the scene - the Neagle family huddled around the Rayburn, little
Oliver on grandpappy’s knee as a gingham-clad mother told them
the sad news.
A buyer had been found in Scotland, and, during the last week of
January, the first batch of cows was sent, with the remaining cattle
to be collected over the following week. So, the family thought
that that was that, but suddenly the evil spectre of foot and mouth
loomed. A total ban on the movement of livestock was imposed, leaving
Heather with 80 cows - all of which needed milking twice daily.
It could have been a disaster: her dairyman had already gone to
a new job and Heather felt unable to cope on her own. Luckily, Oliver
offered to help out with the cattle, even though he was already
working long hours as a tractor driver elsewhere. 18 hour days followed.
"Its a wonder I managed to keep a relationship going!"
laughed Oliver.
He loved the work, though, and once the cattle were eventually moved,
Oliver decided to keep on the 14 calves that were left over. The
calves had been born in the interim period.
Another piece of luck soon came up, when Oliver was able to buy
the Longdown dairy herd. Longdown is a hands-on dairy ‘show
farm’. Finally Oliver had his herd!
"All I ever wanted to do was farm in my own right," says
Oliver. "If it had not been for foot and mouth, I would not
have been able to carry on the Hiltonbury herd because the unborn
calves would have gone to Scotland."
Oliver is putting one of his cows into the Romsey show, and says
"Yarrow winning at Romsey would complete the picture, especially
as she has just cost me £500 in vet bills when she is only
worth £400! I could certainly use the prize money!"
So, at least one person has had a run of luck out of foot and mouth.
Perhaps every cloud does indeed have a silver lining! Good luck
Oliver!
Top of page
Kiss and Wake Up (17th
September 2003)
The pantomime at the Theatre Royal, Winchester was officially launched
down at Wolvesey Palace on Tuesday (September 9th). Max Jones puckers
up.
When I got there, Sleeping Beauty, Emma Corelle, was in the land
of nod, about to be woken up by Prince Charming, Kieran Buckeridge.
I almost felt like waking her with a kiss myself, she looked so
lovely, but in the end I just watched. This version of Sleeping
Beauty is written by Colin Wakefield and Kate Edgar, both of whom
also scripted last years Christmas Show, Little Red Riding Hood,
at the theatre. The producer is Ian Liston, who has quite a pedigree
in the world of showbiz. He appeared in A Bridge Too Far, Scum,
and then - the piece de resistance - Star Wars, The Empire Strikes
Back.
The pantomime is being put on by the aptly-named Hiss and Boo Company,
who have been touring all over the place with their quality mixture
of plays, pantomimes, concerts and music hall productions.
The Theatre Royal is hosting the world premiere of this version
of Sleeping Beauty, and tickets can be bought from the Box Office,
which can be reached on 01962 840 440. The pantomime starts at December
11.
Top of page
You’ve got it badger
(17th September 2003)
While taking a walk near Bishopstoke last Tuesday, Observer reporter,
Max Jones, received quite a shock...
When I was out walking young Roni, my dog, the other evening, I
came across a badger seemingly stuck in a wire fence.
A man was stood around who had called the RSPCA, so I though that
rather than harass our little black and white friend I would carry
on with my walk and leave them to it. So, an hour later I had enjoyed
a lovely circuit of Bishopstoke woods, and thought I would check
on the badger, which was still there, but looked a bit more lacklustre
than previously.
The RSPCA were soon on the scene, and it was not long before Dave
from over the road, my friend Guy, Clare, my girlfriend, myself
and the lady from the RSPCA were trying to free our little furrry
friend. We were not having much luck, and it soon became apparent
that he was caught in a snare, which was proving impossible to get
off it was so embedded in his tail and leg. I was dispatched to
try and find some bolt croppers as it was decided that the only
option was to cut a large segment of the fence away.
Running feverishly around the neighbours houses I managed to come
up with some garden shears and a small hacksaw. As I walked back
with these, the fire brigade turned up. They soon eclipsed me as
they came bounding over with some bolt croppers, a first aid kit
and anything else we may have needed. The badger was freed in seconds,
but not before he inflicted a nasty bite on the lady from the RSPCA.
That must have smarted a bit, but did not stop our brave heroine.
After helping the badger she was off to set an owl free in Hedge
End. What a job!
The next day, when I phoned up the RSPCA they told me that the badger
had to have the end of his tail amputated, and then was off to a
‘half way house,’ to recuperate before being released
back into the wild. We found another snare hanging from the same
fence, waiting for the next unsuspecting member of an endangered
species to come along, or perhaps even a dog. If they are after
rabbits to eat, do they really feel it neccesary to inflict a long
lingering death on the poor little fellows? A humanely killed rabbit
costs around two quid. Is there any reason to allow rednecks to
run around killling them and god knows how many other unfortunate
animals with pieces of wire. Surely snaring should be made illegal
now.
Top of page
Oaten launches txt ur mp service
;-) (17th September 2003)
Mark Oaten has started a new service to allow constituents to text
him with their views.
Local people can lobby Mark on any issue simply by texting their
message in the normal way to 07781 484661. He already receives over
500 emails and letters per week and Mark believes this new service
will encourage even more people to contact him.
Mark Oaten said: "It's really important for me to be able to
gauge opinion on local issues and I can think of no better way than
people texting me with their views. It's a quick and instant way
for me to find out how my constituents feel.
"This will benefit everyone. It will enable people to contact
me at a moments notice with their views by just spending a few seconds
typing a message. While it means that I will constantly be informed
of the issues that are important the minute they break. This will
enable me to represent people far better than before.
"What is more I believe it's really important for MP's to embrace
these new types of technology. MP's are often seen as a bit old-fashioned
and out of touch. I am categorically saying the opposite: I want
to stay in tune with the views of local people - after all, most
people already text their friends and family so why shouldn't their
text their MP too?!
"I find that my mail bag rarely has post from younger voters.
I hope this texting service will particularly appeal to them by
breaking down some of the communication barriers that exist"
Although The Observer believes that text-messaging is, in theory,
a great thing, anything that puts more nails in the coffin of the
English Language is to be eyed with suspicion. We accept that language
must change if it is to survive (we ourselves are guilty of taking
liberties every now and again), but if a whole generation grows
up to think that the word ‘before’ is spelt ‘b4’,
then we’re all in trouble.
So well done to Mark for granting a younger demographic more access,
but let’s hope those texting Mark are going to be using proper
words and not some lazy bastardisation of the Queen’s lingo.
Word up!
Top of page
Hello? No! I’m at
The Observer! (17th September 2003)
With all this talk of Mobile Phones and texting, it got us to wondering
how the Observer staff view this modern technology.
When asked his views on texting, Managing Director Jez Walder said;
"I don’t text people, it’s a waste of time. I prefer
to actually take the call". As for Mr Walder’s telephone
of choice, a red slimline Nokia fits the bill, and fits neatly into
his pocket, too!
Co-director Mark O’Connor is never without his mobile, and
he does use text messaging to keep in touch with his friends and
family. "As a keen sportsman I have great co-ordination, so
I’m as fast as Jackie Chan when it comes to getting those fingers
and thumbs going!"
Senior Sales Executive and Observer Stunner Linda Armstrong is yet
another Nokia user. "It’s my daughter’s," she
claimed. The Nokia in question is a niftly little thing in a black
Versace cover, a bit like Linda herself!
On the editorial and production side of the company, only three
out of five of us have mobiles. The two without are Sam and Pete.
Those with are myself (Richard), Rebecca and Max - at a score of
two more Nokia’s and a Motorola for Max. Max’s mobile
also has a facility for picture messaging. "What’s the
point in having a phone that doesn’t take photographs?"
queried Max, strangely.
Sam doesn’t have a mobile because they "fry your brain".
In an emergency he would rather have a compass and a map. When I
asked him what sort of emergency he had in mind, he replied "being
chased by a gorilla".
As for Pete, he’s still waiting for one to come out that’s
powered by the sun and transmits messages via the common earth worm.
So it’s almost a unanimous digits-up for texting and mobiles,
and although it looks like we’re almost all Nokia freaks, at
least none of us are on Orange.
Top of page
When Guinea Pigs Ruled The
Earth (24th September 2003)
An amazing discovery in Tio Gregorio, Venezuela has turned
the world of natural history on its head.
The fossilised remains of a giant Guinea Pig (Phoberomys pattersoni),
have been unearthed 250 miles west of Caracas, leading some experts
to ask if these mighty mammals once ruled the world.
The earth was a very different place 8 million years ago and a guinea
pig the size of a car would have no difficulty in exerting its authority.
It could roam the pampas with impunity, challenging all that came
before it.
Winchester resident and cavie keeper Sue Clarke was shocked to hear
of this discovery. "I’m shocked," she said. "My
pet ‘Stella’ seems so docile, I had no idea that her ancestors
ruled the world. Do you think they’ll take over again?"
The Observer would like to make it clear to worried readers that
no evidence exists to back-up these fears. That said, evolution
is a funny old thing, and who knows what’s just round the corner?
The guinea pig as we know it was brought to Europe in the 16th century.
The first people to keep them were the Incas in South America, who
liked them both as pets and as a light lunch.
A new born guinea pig has fur, open eyes and can hear. They’re
also born hungry, with their first meal only a couple of hours after
entering the world.
Contrary to popular belief, guinea pigs are more closely related
to the horse than the rat. They may look like rodents, but they’re
not!
We asked Heather Moore of Marwell Zoo if she thought Guinea-pigs
would rise again "not this century" she said. There are
plenty of Guinea-pigs and their relations Porcupines and Maras to
be visited at Marwell.
By Ricardo Rodriguez
Top of page
Colour Scheming! (24th
September 2003)
As the deadline approaches for a challenge to the Planning Inspectorate’s
approval of the Byron Avenue phone mast, it’s business as usual
for Orange and action as usual by the campaign group.
The French telecom giant is continuing to put pressure on Hampshire
County Council to relax the ban on phone masts on its own buildings
and allow the use of its Ashburton Court HQ as an alternative site.
In the meantime, the company is considering colour schemes for the
contentious Byron Avenue monopole. Suspecting that residents might
not welcome them with open arms, Orange agents parked in an adjacent
street when making an unpublicised visit to the site a few days
ago. As they approached the small area of grass, which has cost
them so much time and money to secure, they were visibly shocked
to find a waiting crowd, complete with the now familiar orange NO
sign.
Agent, David Holmes looked as bilious as the colour samples, held
up against the trees for the approval of Winchester planners. Residents
were unimpressed by the whole charade. "They can paint it Orange
or shocking pink for all we care," said Doris Jones. "
We don’t want this mast and we intend to go on fighting until
Orange get the message." Mrs. Jones is just one of many hundreds
of campaigners who are desperately worried about the health risks
from base stations, especially for children.
A public meeting to consider further action was held on Tuesday,
this week at Western Primary School whose premises, as admitted
in the Planning Inspector’s report, will be within the beam
of greatest intensity. As the local education authority with a duty
of care to the children in its charge, Hampshire County Council
is in a difficult position. The number of new phone masts required
for third generation phones is estimated at anything between fifty
and one hundred thousand. With growing government pressure being
put on local authorities by central government, it is difficult
to see how even a partial moratorium can be sustained.
Top of page
Train Set (24th September
2003)
South West trains are planning to improve their services to and
from Shawford station.
Concerns have been raised about the lack of trains stopping at the
little station by Mark Oaten, Winchester MP, as well as no doubt
myriads of other people.
In a letter to the MP, the rail giants said that they have surveyed
Shawford over a period of time. On a Sunday when they were watching,
only five passengers used the station! However, on a weekday this
would rise to a whopping 100 or even more.
As their whole remit involves them having to try and put on more
services to encourage us to ditch our cars, they have graciously
said they will stop on another four occasions a week! This justifies
their huge subsidies. Whoopee!
These new stops are a northbound train from Portsmouth to Winchester
will be stopping at 21.42, and a southbound one will stop at 20.07.
On Saturday there will be a 21.14 stopping at Shawford heading down
to Portsmouth, and a 21.39 going to Winchester.
The new services will start on September 29th.
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