Winchester News Online
Light up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens 2025 is “best yet”
Over 70,000 people are expected to attend Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, which has been transformed into a Light Up Trail for Christmas.

The popular Romsey attraction, which won Gold in the Tourism Event or Festival of the Year category at the Beautiful South Tourism Awards, has been produced by Light Up Trails for the past six years.
The immersive display cost more than £1m to put together, as the gardens are turned into a glowing winter wonderland with eight different zones.
Kevin Burn, one of the managers of Light Up Trails, said: “Every year it’s around giving someone that start to the festive season, and it always brings families together for a great evening.
“It takes a whole year to put together, and three days before we open, we have a team of over 30 people who flood in to put it together and test all the lights and projections.”
Last year, more than £40,000 of cables were stolen days before opening, and it was delayed whiet replacements were installed.
According to Burn, this is the best year yet at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, with more lasers, strobe lighting, and soundscapes than before.
This year’s edition has brand new projections for people to walk through, including highlights of The Christmas Wish and The Enchanted Hollow.
Light Artist Jon Oliver is the designer behind the Rhythm of the Light section, where lasers and moving lights complement a dance music soundtrack, and visitors can feel in the middle of a rave.
Midway through the trail, families can pause at the Christmas Village, which offers a variety of festive food and drinks.
Organisers hope to expand to other venues across the country in the future.
The Light Up Trail runs until 3 January, 2026.
Winchester News Online
Police hunt man who threw chair and threatened shoppers
A man threw a chair and threatened bystanders in the centre of Gosport on Friday.
Police say the man, who was behaving aggressively, threw the chair on the ground and shouted threats at nearby shoppers before running away. No one was injured.
It happened just before noon, outside a Greggs Bakery on the High Street.
Hampshire Police say the man was white, bald and in his late 40s. He was wearing a baseball cap and a grey hoodie.
Officers are asking anyone who saw the incident to contact them.
Winchester News Online
Police officers injured during anti-migration rally
Twelve people were arrested after 350 anti-migrant protestors clashed with police overnight in Gosport following reports of a small boat landing in the area.
A small number of officers needed medical treatment following the protests near Walpole car park.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dodds said: “Violence and criminal damage have no part in peaceful protest, our position on this has been clear that we will investigate thoroughly and take robust action against anyone responsible.
“Our officers did not deserve to be assaulted as they worked incredibly diligently on Sunday to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.”
Police had banned face coverings and had issued a dispersal order ahead of the protests across Gosport.
Those arrested were held on suspicion of assaulting officers or being drunk and disorderly.
The protest marks an increase in tensions within the UK after protests at Portsmouth, Taunton, Basingstoke and Glasgow in recent months.
Gosport Reform UK councilor Paul Carter told GB News: “If you think about this last night, no one really knew what was happening… I think a lot of people are really worried.”
Winchester News Online
Residents warned over closure of recycling centre
People in Romsey are being warned that the town’s recycling centre will be closing for a month for repairs.
The closure of Casbrook recycling centre will take place from 12 October to 12 November.
The council says that repairs are essential to keep the site safe, after heavy vehicles damaged the tarmac beneath waste containers.
Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council’s deputy leader, said: “We are investing in essential improvements to preserve the surface of Casbrook HWRC (Bunny Lane) and ensure the facility continues to serve residents safely and effectively for many years to come.
“I thank residents for their patience during these works and confirm that capacity is available at nearby HWRCs to ensure residents that usually use Bunny Lane, can still dispose of their waste during this time.”
Locals have been advised to use alternative centres in Winchester and Eastleigh while the repairs take place.
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