In this digest+ audio, Deb Wilkes chats to Anna Carr, leader of Noisy Joy - a women’s singing group meeting in Bitterne Park that Anna describes as “raucous… playful… and tender”. Available now for subscribers, and free from April 2.
Wessex Lane plans expected to be submitted this week
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents are celebrating the University of Southampton’s decision to call a halt to controversial student flat plans for Avenue Campus, with the focus moving to other developments, including at Wessex Lane.
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By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
The make-up of the major council restructure across Hampshire has now been revealed, with Southampton forming part of a new South West Hampshire unitary council.
Southampton Action, which supports vulnerable groups, says it’s looking for volunteers to help sort donated clothes at its storage space in Townhill Park.
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents will be able to report missed bin collections and make complaints… over the phone to an artificial intelligence voice bot.
This recording is a lot of fun! It's the second of our live shows, from May 2012, featuring local bands Neko Roshi, Old Culture, poet Matthew West and your hosts The Spiraltones. We've finally brought it back from the archives and made it available to listen again on digest+. Free. Enjoy!
A new multimedia exhibition exploring climate change through themes of access, care and collective survival is set to open at a city arts venue.
A fire that broke out to the rear of City Plumbing on Cobden Avenue was extinguished by fire crews on Friday (March 20).
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
A Southampton MP has vowed to continue making the case for the city after it missed out on receiving any money from a £1.4 billion national flood defence investment.
In this council video, Friends of Riverside Park chair Paul Jenks explains how money from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is being used locally, and gives background about what the group gets up to. Read more to see the video.
• Park friends hosting AGM with park ranger talk
Residents can recycle small electricals from March 20 at Bitterne and Portswood libraries, which are taking part in a wider city pilot.
Friends of Riverside Park will hold their AGM at 7.30pm on Thursday, March 26, at The Old Chemist, Bitterne Park Triangle, with a talk from city park ranger James Stubbs.
The council welcomed feedback from dads and male carers who attended an event held at Trago Lounge in Portswood on Wednesday (March 18), aimed at helping to shape more inclusive family support across the city.
In this audio interview with wildlife TV presenter Chris Packham, he talks about his memories of growing up around Bitterne Park, including visiting local shops, the libraries, returning to the Triangle today, and more. Click here to go to the interview. Subscription required. Free trial currently available.
Dads and male carers are invited to a Portswood session to share their experiences and help improve local support services.
Roadworks on a stretch of Thomas Lewis Way, expected to finish by July, will result in contraflows from mid-March.
Local community groups including the Friends of Riverside Park have benefitted from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents will be faced with increased council tax bills again in the coming financial year.
• Changes to council tax reduction for city’s poorest households under review
Modifications to the Woodmill car park now appear complete.
The fifth community day ‘Toes in the Water’ celebrated blue spaces with music, art and participation on Saturday (Feb 28) at St Denys Boat Club.
Temporary signals are due to be put in place on Woodmill Lane from Thursday (March 5) during work to improve drainage.
What was the Old Chemist like when it really was a working pharmacy? And how does it feel to return to the same building decades later, now freshly renovated and serving the community in a very different way?
Southampton City Art Gallery will reopen on Saturday (March 7) following a £2.23m refurbishment, unveiling new acquisitions and a major exhibition.
Photo: Emma Richardson - Studio portrait by James Burns ©
A public consultation has opened on the University of Southampton’s proposed Wessex Lane Project, which would see around 1,100 new student bedrooms built.
Landscaping work to update ‘Woodmill Bay’ in Riverside Park has been delayed since its tentative start last September - it’s understood while aspects of the scheme are “redesigned”.
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The Shirley ward by-election, which took place on Thursday (Feb 26) following the resignation of Lib Democrat councillor George Percival, has been won by 21 votes by Lib Dem Chris Shank, who will serve the rest of the term created by the vacancy - until May 2027. Read more for the full results.
Woodmill Outdoor Centre says its future is at risk and has started a crowdfunder after discovering the “catastrophic failure” of its septic tank.
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Free parking in Bitterne is to be restored, it's been announced.
