Winchester 2012: Parish Celebrations

Winchester City Council’s Sports & Physical Activity Team have recently written to all Parish Councils and City Council Members introducing an exciting new project. Winchester 2012: Parish Celebrations is a themed project that aims to engage rural communities and local neighbourhoods in sport and physical activity in the build up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

All Parishes and Wards have been offered the opportunity to participate in this project by identifying a new or existing festival event in their locality to capture people’s imagination and inspire them to celebrate London 2012. The project is open to all Parishes and Wards in the Winchester District and all people living in each locality will be invited to join in the celebrations during spring/summer of 2012. 

If your Parish or Ward would like to be involved in this project we would like you to identify a local community leader or an existing event organiser. You may also wish to discuss this project at your next Parish meeting. Please send your expressions of interest and the contact details for your identified lead back to Sarah Drinkwater by email: sdrinkwater@winchester.gov.uk by 31 May 2011. 

Once a list of interested parties has been collated, an initial meeting will be held to provide the Parish/Ward ‘ambassador’ with more details about the delivery of the project.

For the past 140 years Guildhall Winchester has been at the centre of the community when it comes to celebrating royal events, and 2011 will see the newly refurbished Guildhall maintain this tradition.

Book of Congratulations

On Saturday 16 April the Guildhall opened a Royal Wedding Book of Congratulations for HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton. The book will be available for members of the public to sign until Sunday 1 May 2011 in the new ground floor reception of the Guildhall.

A Street Party Fit for a King!

On the day of the wedding the Guildhall will be running "A Street Party fit for a King", offering members of the local community the opportunity to watch the Wedding in the fantastic surroundings of the newly refurbished Bapsy Hall on the impressive 16ft wide screen.

Partygoers are can either bring along their own picnic or sample the delights on offer from the Guildhall, in the specially decorated hall dressed with bunting and flags. Guests will be seated on traditional long tables and be provided with fruit squash.

To book your tickets either call 01962 840 500 or pop in to Winchester Tourist Information Centre. Adults £1.00 children 12 and under are free of charge.

Community planning in Swanmore and Curdridge

The steering group undertaking a village plan in Swanmore has recently undertaken a household survey to gather evidence for their plan. Once all submissions were received and analysed they totalled 614 responses. This represents a healthy 51% of all households so congratulations to those involved for all their hard work, which will ensure that the resulting plan is based on very sound evidence. More information can be found on the Swanmore Village Plan website.

Following a couple of meetings hosted by the Parish Council to discuss the merits of a parish plan, residents in Curdridge have formed a steering group to start the process. This evolved following the City Council’s Blueprint consultation late in 2010 as a way for residents to further influence the future of their parish.

Winchester & District Over 55 Forum 

Youth of Winchester visit to Parliament

Last Tuesday (19 April) several members of Youth of Winchester (the District youth council) visited Parliament at the invitation of Winchester MP Steve Brine. The members were given a tour of Parliament, undoubtedly a memorable occasion for all. Particularly because Parliament is in recess so the House of Commons and Lords Chambers were open the access... although non-MPs/Lords are not permitted to sit on the revered leather! Nevertheless the visit has furthered the desire of all members to have young people at the centre, rather than the furthest peripheries of decision making, whether that be at a district of national level.

The next Youth of Winchester meeting is 5-7pm on Tuesday 26 April at Winchester City Council and is open for everyone aged 11-19. Transport can be provided if needed, please contact SarahKate Abercrombie or Nicola Lawrence on 01962 848497.

Future meeting dates:

• 24 May 2011
• 21 June 2011
• 19 July 2011
• No August meeting
• 20 September 2011
• 18 October 2011
• 22 November 2011
• 13 December 2011 (Annual General Meeting)

Keep up-to-date with what the youth council are doing by going to www.youthofwinchester.co.uk