THE owners of the riverbank controversially closed to the public have explained their decision. Stretches of the River Itchen between Easton and Itchen Abbas have been fenced off to stop the public from getting to the banks. This sparked widespread anger from some people who have enjoyed it as a beauty spot for decades. Now Nick Owen has written an article published in last month’s Itchen Valley News magazine. Headlined ‘Protection of the River and People’, Mr Owen, also writing on behalf of Andrew Impey and Richard Hunt, wrote: “This section of the river is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). We must protect wildlife and nature for future generations, but just as relevant and misunderstood is the need for protection of people from falling trees and from the diseases that abound in many rivers.
Here is the second part of our Review of the Year:
JULY A WINCHESTER woman has been crowned the winner of this year’s Great British Sewing Bee. Clare Bradley beat stiff competition and impressed judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant to be awarded the title in the BBC One show. Upon being announced as the winner, she said: “I feel really surprised. Crikey. I do hold myself to high standards and because other things I have gone in for are things I have trained for like exams and more exams - this was something I did for fun.” The streets are bustling, the shops are filled – and for the first time in 13 weeks, Winchester’s pubs, cafes and restaurants are open, but not as we have known it.
YANA Razora from St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, has won Steve Brine s annual Christmas card competition. The Year 5 pupil follows in the footsteps of previous winners from across the constituency and won first prize with a “Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer” picture. Yana now wins a selection of House of Commons themed gifts. As well as the main prize, there were also a range of year group winners and commendations, and for the first time, an overall runner-up, Nathan Zhong of Pilgrims School, who also won the Year 4 category. Scarlett de Kretser from Twyford School won the Year 6 category, while Chace Middleton from Kings Worthy Primary School won the Year 3 Category. Edward Zhong of Pilgrims’ School won the Year 2 award.