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Winchester Poetry Prize awarded via zoom but festival postponed to October 2021

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Lewis Buxton has won this year’s Winchester Poetry Prize in an online prize-giving event.

Although the festival, had to be postponed due to COVID-19, organisers were relieved “to be able to continue with the poetry prize”.

But the pandemic still had its limelight, as festival manager, Madelaine Smith told WINOL: “Quite a number of poems were obviously inspired by the current world situation. For example, 21 poems included the word ‘Lockdown’ in the title.”

With over 2,000 entries from around the world to read, competition judge and poet Andrew McMillan said poems earned his respect by: “Surprising me, by grabbing me by the scruff of my old t-shirt and not letting me go, by showing me things I didn’t realise poetry could do.”

All the winning and commended poems have been compiled into an anthology called ‘un-seaming the tendon’.

Meanwhile, festival goers can expect to see the biennial event return in October 2021.

Winchester poetry festival organisers told WINOL: “We are hoping very much that we can simply push everything forward but recognise that some of our invited poets may not be able to join us then.”

“We had invited a number of poets from the United States to be a part of our festival and of course we don’t know what travel restrictions and quarantine will look like in 2021, and there are always other unknown factors when planning so far ahead.”

“We don’t know what social distancing rules will exist in the venues we use and how our audiences will feel about attending events by that time.”

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Police hunt man who threw chair and threatened shoppers

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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.

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Police officers injured during anti-migration rally

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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.”

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Residents warned over closure of recycling centre

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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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