Winchester News Online
What happens on a night with the Winchester street pastors?
“Hiya mate, have you got any blackcurrant left, the purple ones? “
It is past 11pm, a pair of lads in their 20s approach us, it is clear they are wavy and have spent the night indulging in pints and spirits.
But after they unwrap their lollies, one orange one blackcurrant, they are satisfied and head off to endure the rest of their night.
Another success for Winchester’s Street Pastors.
The street pastors are local celebrities; their fans are the giddy partygoers of Winchester. Yet rather than wanting an autograph, they are after a quick sugary fix. A bog standard lolly pop. The type you would get trick-or-treating as a child.
The pastors comprise a group of 42 volunteers who work on a monthly shift rotation and have been in Winchester for over a decade. The reputation they have built is sweet, strong and familiar.
Once the team is kitted up in their navy blue uniforms and caps, they are immediately recognisable.
Many of the weekend regulars, who can spot the team from a mile away, can recall tales of how the “Knights of Winchester” have saved them.
One woman opened up about a time, almost a decade ago, when she was drinking underage in Winchester. Shoes, missing. Friends, gone. And she could not get herself home.
Then enter the street pastors.
The lady dressed in a fluffy coat, smoking a cigarette, standing outside Overdraft told me, “they sat with me and talked to me, then after a while they helped me get home”.
“I love the street pastors, the beautiful thing is they do it for nothing, they do it for free”.
Mark Hibbert-Hingston, the Winchester Coordinator, is indeed a character, spirited and kind.
Mark said,
“We just find out how people are doing. You saved my life last weekend. How are you doing now?”.
Alistar, Mary, and Tracey are the wholesome souls I had the pleasure of pairing with this night.
Mary, a freelance journalist who dedicates a weekend each month to the charity, tells me about a time she helped a girl who had caught the wrong train and ended up in Winchester.
She recalls,
“It was midnight, she was scared.. And we were able to be with her and wait with her.”
Winchester’s street pastors are far more than just a sweet shop; they are the beating heart of the Winchester community.
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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