Winchester News Online
Watercress Line prepares to host ‘magical’ light show after the lockdown
Staff at the Watercress Line are eager to present a”world-first” Steam Illuminations event this Christmas season, if the national restrictions allow.
The spectacle was set to take place throughout November and December before the announcement of a second lockdown. The Mid Hants Railway team remain hopeful that the “magical” event will go ahead next month, confident it will be a “very safe evening out”.
This week staff will begin to attach the first of 13,000 LED lights to the carriages. As well as lights inside and outside the trains, ticket holders will receive an illuminated wrist band. Each light is individually programmable and synchronised to the music to create the spectacle.
The train will light up the countryside, transporting passengers on a round trip from Alresford to Alton.
Measures in place to protect customers against coronavirus include: temperature checks on arrival, screens between seatbacks and pre-booked food hampers delivered to people’s seats to prevent queuing.
General Manager Simon Baggott told WINOL: “I think the event we are running is safer than going to the supermarket.
“We’ve had a lot of great feedback this year, that people do feel safe riding on the railway and that’s been our objective.
“I’m reasonably optimistic the lockdown will ease sufficiently to allow the event to go ahead. I certainly hope so because I think it will bring a lot of joy to a lot of people.”
Additional trains could run in January if the lockdown continues past the 3rd of December. Priority would be given to current ticket holders before being offered to the rest of the public. Mr Baggott said high demand could also encourage the railway to add more trains.
Prior to the restrictions, the event received a “colossal interest” taking bookings faster than any other event the Watercress Line have hosted previously. Within the uncertainty, ticket sales have decreased but Mr Baggott is still in high spirits telling WINOL: “I suspect that once we get the go ahead, bookings will pick back up considerably.
“I hope it will be something that we repeat in years to come and get even better at it. I hope it will become a bit of a local tradition, a bit like Blackpool Illuminations.”
Tickets are still available to book online.
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.
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.”
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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