A motorcycle engineer from Hampshire is preparing to ride hundreds of miles across the UK dressed as a chicken to raise money for a hospital cancer ward that has cared for his wife.

Debben Performance owner Steve Debben is planning to ride a 1967 175cc Bantam, which was once his grandad’s, from Burnmouth to Bournemouth next month.

The 419 mile trip is to raise money for the Nick Jonas Cancer Ward at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, where Steve says staff have provided exceptional care to his wife Jodie during her cancer treatment.

“My wife has been there since last year, it’s been an ongoing thing,” he explained. 

“The staff are amazing, they’re handpicked for the job.I just want them to know how grateful I am, it’s a lovely place” 

The route will see him leave Burnmouth Harbour at 8am on Friday 3rd of April, in hope to be there in time for midday Monday 6th of April to the south coast of England on the small vintage motorcycle but whilst wearing a chicken costume.

He hopes the unusual challenge will help attract attention and encourage people to donate to the ward.

“I’m aiming to be there around lunchtime. My wife, Jodie, will be waiting for me at Undercliff Drive on the seafront, it has a romantic meaning for us it’s where we had our first kiss”

“With me being dressed up as a chicken, it means there’s going to be more awareness and people would be more willing to donate.”

But Steve has his doubts before making the journey. 

“I dont even know if I can make it, I can’t use motorways. It’s my first time doing something like this, there’s not been any real planning.”

“It will take three and half to four days. I’ve had people say they want to meet me on the way – there’s a bit of pressure.”

The bike Steve will be using was inherited from his grandfather, a bike that he had a lot of childhood memories with. 

“It was in his shed under an orange cover for as long as I can remember, as a kid I would sneak off and go see it. I would never have thought that I would be driving from Burnmouth to Bouremouth with it. 

The event is set to take place on the 3rd of April to the 6th of April, and it’s already raised nearly £3,000.

People in Winchester are calling for a new 20mph speed limit on Worthy Lane after two accidents in recent months.

Two cars crashed near the entrance to the Cattle Market car park in November and another crashed near a pedestrian crossing on Andover Road in October.

Some think that the current 30mph limit on the street is too fast and a reason for the accidents, but others feel a reduction is not needed.

One Facebook commenter compared the potential change to the city centre and said: “We don’t need the speed limit changed it’s already a 30mph zone, bad enough towns a 20mph.”

Another resident even felt changes wouldn’t stop crashes and said: “Speed reductions don’t stop accidents. Accidents happen, you can look at the causes of each one, like the professionals do and then make a decision. Passers by probably know very very little about traffic management.”

Someone even claimed pedestrians could be the cause, saying: “Perhaps more education for pedestrians, it’s not always drivers who are at fault.”

Winchester City Council has pushed for a change with traffic expected to increase after Kings Barton is completed and the planned development of Sir John Moore Barracks.

Hampshire County Council has not responded to the demands despite pressure from residents and the city.

WINOL reached out to the city council and county council for comment, but both are yet to reply.

Jury trials for offences likely to carry a sentence of three years or less are set to be removed under new reforms, the Justice Secretary has announced.

Volunteer magistrates will take on such cases, while serious crimes – including murder, rape and robbery – will continue to be tried by a jury.

Speaking in the Commons, David Lammy said he was following the recommendations of Sir Brian Leveson, who suggested limiting jury trials for lower-level offences to reduce court delays.

Lammy added that defendants would no longer be able to choose between a jury trial and a judge-only trial in some cases, saying that “other judicial systems do not let defendants choose a jury trial, as people can do in England and Wales”.

“Today I am calling time on the courts emergency that has left victims of the most serious crimes waiting years for justice…

“The system we inherited has led to a Crown Court backlog due to hit 100,000 outstanding cases by 2028.”

He said the new “Swift Courts” system would allow cases to be processed around 20% faster, helping to tackle delays that currently see suspects waiting years for trial.

Critics raise concerns

Legal experts and civil liberties groups warned that the changes could have serious implications for justice.

The Free Speech Union highlighted that defendants facing juries are nearly twice as likely to be acquitted on free speech grounds compared with those tried without juries.

Ministry of Justice data suggests:

• Crown Court cases with juries: 21.6% acquittal rate (up to 25.8% recently)
• Magistrates’ courts: 11.4% acquittal rate (10.1% recently)
• Speech-related offences: 32.1% acquittal with juries vs 14.1% without

Mary Prior, head of 36 Crime at The 36 Group, said:

“We must stand up for our ancient liberties. Before the Ministry of Justice removes the right of the public to decide guilt, the evidence must be examined carefully. Support legal professionals working to protect the right to jury trial.”

The Law Society warned:

“Determining a person’s guilt or innocence is a collective duty – limiting jury trial so severely disregards justice as we know it. This is a complex situation that requires investment and reform across the entire criminal justice system.”

The Criminal Bar Association added that there is no clear evidence the reforms will reduce backlogs and urged the public to lobby MPs and support legal professionals defending jury trials.

What Experts Say

Critics say the backlog is caused by underfunding and staffing shortages, not the jury system itself. They warn that moving cases to judge-only trials could erode transparency, fairness, and civil liberties, particularly in cases involving speech or expression.

The government has pledged to publish a full impact assessment alongside legislation, but legal professionals insist that robust evidence, safeguards, and investment are needed before removing the public’s right to decide the outcome of thousands of criminal trials.