News
LGBTQ+ History Month: Winchester’s Strong Historical Ties
February marks LGBTQ+ History Month, a time to reflect on the past, celebrate progress, and acknowledge the ongoing fight for equality.
Winchester has played a significant role in LGBTQ+ history, with its connections to famous figures, legal battles, and community activism.
Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas
In the 1890s, Winchester became entwined in one of history’s most famous LGBTQ+ love stories. Lord Alfred Douglas, a student at Winchester College, had a romantic relationship with Oscar Wilde.
His poem Two Loves (1892) introduced the phrase “the love that dare not speak its name,” a reference to same-sex love.
Their relationship played a crucial role in Wilde’s downfall and imprisonment.
The Montagu Trial – A Landmark Case
In 1954, The Great Hall in Winchester was the site of the Montagu Trial, where Edward Lord Montagu, Peter Wildeblood, and Michael Pitt-Rivers were convicted of homosexual activity.
The trial sparked public debate and played a pivotal role in the movement towards decriminalization in the UK.
Dr Michael Dillon – A Trailblazing Trans Pioneer
Winchester’s history is also linked to Dr Michael Dillon, the world’s first person to medically transition from female to male.
Beginning hormone therapy in 1940, Dillon later underwent pioneering gender-affirming surgeries in Basingstoke, performed by Sir Harold Gillies.
His story remains a crucial part of trans history.
LGBTQ+ Activism and Pride in Winchester
The 1970s saw the formation of support groups like the Winchester Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE), which provided a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals.
In 2015, Winchester hosted Hampshire’s first LGBTQ+ Pride march, marking a major step forward in visibility and inclusion.
Preserving History and Looking Ahead
From 2017 to 2019, the Voices for Heritage Project documented Hampshire’s LGBTQ+ history, preserving personal stories and historical records.
Looking to the future, efforts are underway to revive Winchester Pride in 2025, ensuring continued visibility and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Winchester’s LGBTQ+ history is rich and deeply significant.
As we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, it serves as a reminder that history is not just about remembering the past, but about shaping the future.
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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