News
Winchester’s Christmas lights: A tradition rooted in history
The dazzling Christmas lights that illuminate Winchester each winter are more than just a festive spectacle, they are a cherished tradition steeped in history.
With origins of the Christmas lights dating back to the mid-20th Century and beyond, where trees used to be decorated with candles – to represent the embodiment of Christ.
This tradition evolved over time, with the roll out of modern electric Christmas lights bringing a safer and more vibrant glow to celebrations.
In Winchester, the High Street first saw the sparkle of Christmas lights in the 1950s .
The displays began modestly but soon flourished with financial support from local businesses.
This funding allowed for more elaborate installations, including lighting up iconic landmarks like the abbey.
Shops across the city began to decorate their storefronts with colourful lights and festive displays, adding to the holiday spirit of the city.
A significant milestone in Winchester’s festive journey came in 2006 with the introduction of the Cathedral Christmas Market.
This event added a new layer to the city’s celebrations as it offered locals and visitors a chance to enjoy shopping opportunities and the introduction of a Christmas tree beside the cathedral.
The market’s wooden huts decorated with greenery and twinkling lights, have since become a beloved feature of the festive season.
Even today the Christmas lights continue to entice visitors from all over and have become a familiar addition to the city’s festivities for locals.
As Winchester’s festive lights continue to evolve, they remain a testament to the city’s rich history and the ability it has to bring people together in celebration.
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.
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.
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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