News
BGT winner Sydnie Christmas headlines Southampton Christmas event
Former Britain’s Got Talent winner headed to Southampton to perform at Southampton’s “Countdown to Christmas” event on Friday 15 November.
The winner of this year’s talent show attended the event in Southampton and performed festive songs at the free Bargate mainstage.
She sang songs she covered on BGT such as My Way, Tomorrow and Over the Rainbow.
Before BGT, the singer worked on cruise ships which departed from the city.
During her audition, she was working front of house at a gym folding towels.
She said: “[Southampton] is a great place with great shopping, I loved it.”
When asked if she was excited to perform, she said: “Absolutely, I’m well excited.
“I get to sing quite a few songs, it’s not like a quick thing.
“So, I’m sure I’ll feel at home back on the stage.”
From Gravesend in northwest Kent, Sydnie gained overnight popularity when she auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent.
The singer found herself in the semi-finals after judge Amanda Holden pressed the golden buzzer after Sydnie’s rendition of Tomorrow from the musical movie Annie in her audition.
Sydnie added: “It was very frightening [her audition] and I felt anxious for the whole thing.
“I’m not sure if people say anxiety is amazing, but it was.
“It was scary at the same time.
“It was such an amazing experience, I loved it.”
Since the show, Sydnie told Winol about what she had been up to the last few months, and if she’s looking forward to the festive season.
“I’ve made an album which is really cool, I get to do a panto which I have never done before which is going to be fun.
“I’m going to be playing Fairy Christmas; I think they made the role for me.”
She’s starring in the panto Sleeping Beauty in Dartford.
“I’ve come back from LA, as I performed at the Hollywood Bowl which was a life-changing experience.
“Since the show I’ve done events, and live gigs which is amazing and very different to what I’m used to.
“I have kept in touch with Amanda and went for dinner with her and Bruno around two weeks ago in LA,”,she added.
The Countdown to Christmas event ran from Friday 15 November until Sunday 17 November and included plenty of activities across the city.
News
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2025 launches in Winchester
Communities are encouraged to buy a poppy as this year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is launched in the lead-up to Remembrance Day.

The annual fundraising campaign supports members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, personnel and their families.
The Poppy Appeal remains the Legion’s biggest annual fundraiser.
Last year, more than 32 million poppies were distributed across the UK, and about £51.4 million was raised in donations.
Chris Hayward is managing the Poppy Appeal in North Hampshire & Winchester and said: “Wearing a poppy during Remembrance time shows that you care.”
“It’s a national symbol, and it shows the armed forces community that you appreciate everything that they do.”
She added: “For those who want to get involved, you can wear your poppy, donate to the Royal British Legion, Poppy Appeal, and also participate in the collections and volunteer as a collector.”
Winchester will be recognising remembrance itself, with a service at the Cathedral on Sunday, 9th November, in addition to a service at Winchester Guildhall at 11 am on Armistice Day.
The service will begin at 9:20 am and will include a procession from The Broadway to Winchester Cathedral, as well as wreath laying too.
Donations from the campaign go towards services including mental health support, housing assistance and employment advice for veterans transitioning to civilian life.
For more information on how to donate, volunteer or order poppies online, visit: britishlegion.org.uk/poppyappeal.
News
Does Earth really have two moons until 2083?
Until 2093, asteroid 2025 PN7 will be sharing the Earth’s orbit.
You may have seen circuiting on social media a myth that the Earth has two moons from now until 2083 – sadly, that’s science fiction.
In August of this year astronomers discovered asteroid 2025 PN7.
It is considered a quasi-moon as it orbits the sun in a similar path to Earth.
According to Mike Shanahan, planetarium director at New Jersey’s Liberty Science Centre, the asteroid has been travelling “alongside Earth for 60 years”.
Due to the size of the asteroid, it wasn’t discovered until this summer.
Astronomy fans hoping to see a second moon in the sky are out of luck.
The asteroid is too small and far away to be seen by the naked eye or regular telescopes.
The number of asteroids in Earth-like orbit has been known to exceed 100.
Some orbit alongside the Earth for merely months, whereas others years or decades.
Currently, six other quasi-moons have been recorded near Earth.
News
Tax on SUVs criticised by for disability campaigner
Cardiff is the first UK city to introduce a “tax” for SUVs weighing over 2.4 tonnes.
The tax is to be enforced in residential permit areas, and also includes cars that are powered by diesel.
Cardiff Council is hoping that implementing this will improve congestion, the air quality, and create space on pavements.
The exact cost has yet to be announced, but the council has announced it will be releasing the tax in phases.
Winchester is a relatively small city with many residential permit areas – the question of a similar initiative being introduced locally has arisen.
Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council chose not to respond to Winchester News Online, with Winchester City Council stating that it is not a subject a councillor is likely to comment on, as it is an issue relevant to Cardiff and not yet an issue to Winchester.
Though the council does not yet deem this a possibility, it has gotten the public talking.
Jet Gates, a disability campaigner, said:
“It’s going to have a massive impact on disabled people across the UK
“We are a highly marginalized group in society – it’s just yet another nail in the coffin.”
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