Even the most ardent Portsmouth fan would struggle to find any valid comparison between the success of the club’s academy and that of their neighbours at Saints, and that doesn’t look like changing any time soon. It has to be said that Saints are
ALEX Samuels’ letter about shipbuilding (Letters, November 23) only serves to confirm what I said, the decision in regard to Portsmouth was purely a political one. His letter further speculates on how things would be if I were in government, something
IT IS a nonsense when councils boast they are providing a living wage. No they are not, the taxpayer is. Councils, as with governments, are paid for by those who pay their taxes. In the same way, shareholders help keep companies afloat. Each person
I LOST my keys on Saturday, December 1. Turning the house, shed and car inside out confirmed the outcome. What followed was anxiety, stress and a series of telephone calls to insurance companies and the police. Howev er, there is a very
I WOULD like to send a heart-felt plea to anyone considering having a dog: please, please, think again if you are working and would need to leave them outside during the day. This week I am being woken up around 5.30am every morning by loud barking
Sic Transit Gloria Swaythling (Thus passes the glory of Swaythling) There is a man who drives a Ford, And loyal to that brand, He worked on the production line, Building Transit vans, Then somewhere in the USA, They had a “Cunning
Regarding Mr Willott’s view (Letters, November 29) on the European Union; whatever one’s opinion on whether we should maintain our membership or leave, I believe it is important that the arguments, both for and against, should be based on fact.
AS a young person of Southampton, I was intrigued by the recent campaign against payday lenders; various activists in Southampton came together to talk to locals and collect signatures to petition the Government near the Bargate. It seems a no-brainer
AS a prospective Conservative MEP for this region, I gave my full backing to a new campaign, Small Business Saturday, which took place at the weekend, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Small and medium-sized enterprises are the lifeblood
IN response to “Store staff show that every little helps” (Daily Echo, November 26), I was surprised that the idea was dreamt up by Sue Nais. Did Sue Nais not know that naked calendars have been coming out for years, it’s nothing new. After
COLIN Hingston writes (Letters, November 19) that in his opinion, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) does not have a clue about our membership of the EU. And yet the CBI is made up from leading British firms, and employs hundred of thousands
THE news is showing the people of the Ukraine on the streets demonstrating against their Government and in support of closer ties with the EU. Their Government stopped a trade bill and closer ties with the EU. The news pictures show Ukrainians
REGARDING the cleanliness at Southampton General Hospital, my late mother was disabled and was a patient there about ten years ago. When assisting my mother to the toilet we were faced with soiled loo roll strewn all over the floor. It was under
IN response to Mrs D Baker (“We can both manage on the fuel allowance,” Letters, December 4) I would like to try and help her understand why ‘80-ish year old dears’ keep their large houses. We are lucky to have loving children and grandchildren
IF SCOTLAND ever does get its Independence I hope the people know the meaning of the word. For starters they will be left entirely on their own, no help whatsoever from England as Scotland will be classed as a foreign country and border posts will
MAY I thank all those who attended the recent Salute to the Dambusters Generation concert performance by the Bands of the Royal Air Force at the Anvil, Basingstoke. The evening was a great success and helped support the important work of the Royal
WHAT is happening to our once decent Daily Echo? I refer to Saturday, November 23, page 3 and the photo of the man sitting on a toilet with a very strained look on his face, under the heading “We’ll pay £5 for your poo, says Health Chief”. Just
DOES the bus company realise the knock-on effect of axing the service from Totton to Southampton General Hospital and Shirley? Surely they realise that car parking is an absolute nightmare at the hospital and if the bus stops running that means
A MAN taken ill on a train in Southampton has died. The 69-year-old collapsed on a train from Southampton Central to Salisbury at around 4pm yesterday. The train stopped at Millbrook train station for paramedics to carry out emergency treatment
TWO lanes have been closed on a busy Hampshire motorway after a three car crash. A blue BMW, a red Fiat Panda, and a white Vauxhall Corsa, collided between junctions five and seven on the M27 at around 2.30pm today. Emergency services are at
FEARS are growing for the welfare of a vulnerable pensioner who has gone missing. Andrew Crawford, 73, was last seen at 6.55pm last night at his home in Victory Court, Beachamp Avenue, Gosport. However there has been a sighting of Mr Crawford
BURGLARY prevention advice will be provided to residents living in Bassett, Southampton, on Saturday. Police will be at St Michael’s Church in Bassett Avenue from noon until 2pm.
SHOPPERS have been voting in their droves for their favourite decorated Christmas trees on display at the Marlands Shopping Centre in Southampton. The centre has been decked out with a dozen trees that have all been decorated by schoolchildren
WINCHESTER man Stephen Pain, 51, of Taplings Road, Weeke, has been fined £100 after admitting threatening behaviour on October 16. Magistrates in Basingstoke told him to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £40 costs.
WINCHESTER woman Susan Markham, 50, of Milland Road, Highcliffe, who admitted stealing eight cans of lager from Sainsbury’s on August 31, has been given a six-month conditional discharge and told to pay a £15 victim surcharge by magistrates in Basingstoke
DANNY Briggs took two wickets on the first day of the England Performance Programme’s three-day match against Western Australia’s 2nd XI. The Hampshire spinner finished with 2-42 as WA made 319-8 declared, seamers James Harris (3-58) and Chris Jordan
THE Art House Cafe in Above Bar Street, Southampton is holding a community art experience on Thursday. The session will involve making corsages and wire work, which will form a larger artwork that will be displayed in February next year at The
PLANS to install a new shopfront in a Hampshire conservation area have been thrown out. Matthews Properties Ltd lodged an appeal after its original application was rejected by New Forest District Council, but Government-appointed planning inspector
THE New Music Makers Choir will hold their annual Christmas Concert in Hedge End Village Hall on Saturday. The choir which is based in Hedge End, will sing carols and readings and add to the festive atmosphere. There will also be a performance
LUCKY readers can today be in with a chance of winning one of five teddy-rific prizes. As part of the Daily Echo’s Win Christmas series, five lucky households can each win a bear from the Build-A-Bear Workshop’s holiday range for the festive season
YOUNG performers from Hampshire took to the spotlight on one of London’s most prestigious stages for a performing arts extravaganza. Students from Stagecoach Fareham and Hedge End joined hundreds of other budding stars to perform at Her Majesty
A WINCHESTER man has been fined for causing damage to a woman’s car. Rory Scott, 33, of Battery Hill, Stanmore, admitted criminal damage to a cup holder and hazard button in a Seat belonging to Samatha Appleton. Magistrates at Basingstoke
TWO batteries and a Stihl leaf blower were stolen during multi-vehicle break-ins near Romsey. Police say the batteries were stripped from a Dennis refuse truck parked at a compound off Sandy Lane in Belbins. The gardening equipment was stolen
IT was game, set and match to planning chiefs after proposals to build a tennis court at a listed building were thrown out. James Sherborne lodged an appeal after his application was rejected by the New Forest National Park Authority earlier this
THE annual vintage bus running day in Winchester on New Year’s Day will be the last. Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) has announced that the 2014 Running Day in and around Winchester will be the last to be held on that day. The charity
A SILK painting workshop for beginners will be staged at Hythe library on Thursday. The session costs £12 per person or £9 for those over the age of 60. Call the library on 023 8084 1457.
HYTHE Wives held a coffee morning that raised £200 for the group’s chosen charity, the Horrill day centre in Challenger Way, Dibden.
A Hampshire Lions club has sent hundreds of pounds to help with the relief mission in the Philippines. The Lions Club of Swanwick held a collection day at Whiteley Shopping Village. It raised £97.46 towards the appeal. The club topped up the
PROPOSALS for flats for the elderly in Winchester are set to be strongly opposed by local people. The city council is exploring building 50 ‘extra care’ flats on the Chesil Street open air car park in a £10.8m scheme, the Cabinet heard. But
Hampshire businesses will receive extra support following a signed charter agreement with the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Business Alliance (HIBA) is working to raise awareness of support services for business
MORE than 700 people packed Romsey Abbey for The Mountbatten School’s Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The event featured a wealth of musical talent complemented by well-delivered readings from students and staff.
A BURGLAR made off empty-handed after breaking into a home in Hampshire. They targeted a home in Heather Gardens in Fareham between 8.30am and 9.45am on Tuesday, December 3, but left without taking anything. Witnesses should contact police
WE’VE been hearing for some time now that the hard times of the past few years may finally be drawing to some sort of close. The phrase “green shoots of recovery” has been uttered with increasing regularity by politicians and economists looking
ROMSEY schools have celebrated the results of a £3.8m expansion. Woodley Pre-School and Cupernham Infant and Junior Schools, in Bransley Close, Romsey, have all undergone a refurbishment in order to accommodate new pupils. The schools are in
HAMPSHIRE musicians will be celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela tonight. They will be gathering in the The Cellar in the Cultural Quarter, Southampton, from 7pm till late. Organisers say all are welcome. This comes after tens of thousands
THE future of Winchester Area Community Action (WACA) is uncertain after city councillors agreed to change the way it is funded. The Cabinet approved stopping its annual grant and instead introduce a new commissioned service for two years starting
A Hampshire marketing and communications agency scooped seven awards at a top event held at the Saints ground in Southampton. Staff at Ringwood-based McKenna Townsend walked away with a fistful of titles, including outstanding PR consultancy, best
A WHITE elephant office block in Winchester which has stood empty for years is set to be re-let. City council Cabinet members went into secret session to discuss Avalon House, the offices on Chesil Street which were vacated by the planning department
FEEDBACK following a controversial exhibition of proposed Kings Worthy developments has resulted in more displays being arranged. A number of people said they felt the exhibition was poorly advertised, so the parish council has organised further
THE success of more than 40 children aged six to 14 years old was celebrated at the New Forest and Southampton Children’s University’s first graduation ceremony. The young graduates were rewarded for their passion for learning with a certificate
A RANGE of Christmas cards has been launched in memory of a little girl. Designed by friends and family of Lahna Beatty, the cards will raise vital cash for sick babies through the Lahna Fund. The charity was set up by the parents of five-month-old
A CHILDREN’S centre in Southampton will undergo a major refurbishment, while three other facilities will close. City council chiefs have rubber-stamped plans for a £247,000 overhaul at the former Fairfield Lodge, in Coxford Road, which is currently
A TEENAGER who carried out a “brutal attack” following a case of Chinese whispers has avoided an immediate prison sentence. Connor Davis, 19, of Underwood Road, Eastleigh, punched Luke Whitlock twice in the face, leaving him with facial fractures
Southampton’s students could get their hands on thousands of pounds of funding by becoming an active part of university societies and organisations. Applications opened this week for the RBS Enterprising Student Society Accreditation (ESSA) initiative
HAMPSHIRE residents reaching their 75th birthday are being reminded that they have something extra to celebrate – a free TV licence. Thousands of people in the country are already taking advantage of their landmark but others are forgetting their
THE United Church in Jewry Street, Winchester, has gone to town on Christmas trees this year and have not one, or two, but 19 of them in their upstairs sanctuary. Debbie Borda, the minister of the United Church, said: “Christmas trees may not necessarily
Hampshire-based IT firm Switch Concepts is moving to a new home. The firm, which specialises in digital advertising, has taken the lease of the two-storey Hounsdown House in Hounsdown Business Park, Totton. The 14,000sq ft building was marketed
IT’S beginning to look a lot like Christmas – just ask these little angels. Youngsters at schools and pre-schools across Hampshire have been taking to the stage to re-tell the story of Christmas in the annual nativity productions. From traditional
HE has taken the sailing world by storm, winning five Olympic medals and becoming the first Briton in more than 100 years to triumph in the America’s Cup. Now Hampshire’s Sir Ben Ainslie has shown his artistic side by designing a birthday card
Southampton digital agency Advantec has been awarded partner agency status by Google, in recognition of the firm’s expert search marketing team. Google launched its UK partner programme in November, as a way to help small to medium-sized businesses
PLANS to build a bungalow beside an existing property in Milton Grove, New Milton, have gone to appeal. The original application was rejected by New Forest District Council, which said the proposed development would devour part of a back garden
TEN community groups in Hampshire are celebrating after receiving money from the Lloyds Bank Community Fund. More than 2.3 million votes were cast by the public for their favourite cause throughout England and Wales during September and October
SIR Andrew Motion, the former Poet Laureate and president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, will visit Hampshire in February to speak about his love for the countryside and the importance of preserving rural landscapes. The talk, entitled
DETERMINED thieves got away with a £6,000 quad bike after removing anchoring points securing the vehicle to concrete. Police say the gang targeted the 500cc black and yellow Polaris Scrambler quad in an outbuilding at Cherville Street in Romsey
PLANS for a new sports facility on the outskirts of Romsey go on show to the public tomorrow. Barratt and David Wilson Homes are staging an exhibition of proposals to provide 30 acres of new sports facilities, including all-weather pitches and
A DATE has been set for a public inquiry into a planning application that sparked almost 300 objections. Controversial proposals to create a permanent site for travellers in the Hampshire countryside will be examined by a Governmentappointed planning
A THREE-hour workshop called Dealing with Anxiety is being held at Totton library tomorrow at 9.30am. The workshop aims to teach people a range of new skills, boost their confidence and help them cope with situations that would normally make them
WHEN it comes to forking out for Christmas trees, people in Southampton have to stump up more cash than anyone else in the country. This year cash-strapped shoppers in Britain are set to pay £150m on real Christmas trees as part of their annual
Collingwood RSC chose to perform a brand new pantomime version of Peter Pan (written by its director) and there was something for everyone to enjoy amongst the rambunctious fun – even the scene changes were choreographed with humour! Robin Sheppard
THE relatives of a young girl killed in a crash caused by a drink-driver have told of how the incident “devastated” the family. Ten-year-old Evey Staley died after the family car she was travelling in was hit by a driver two and a half times over
PANTOMIMES and community theatre are often a child’s first taste of live stage shows; in Cinderella TOADS combined the two to create a quaint and endearing production. After a subdued start, this family-orientated pantomime proved a fine example of
WHEN Charlie Hall was told he had cancer, he never imagined it would lead to some of the best things to ever happen to him. But had it not been for the devastating disease, he would never have met the love of his life, Elen, or had their beautiful
Panto season has arrived in Warsash with a script loaded with gags and the usual suspects, plus a gruff beast (Ian Hardwick), playing to a house packed with rapt Brownies (not the chocolate variety!) and adults escaping the Christmas shopping frenzy
IT’S perhaps a little ironic in these cash-strapped times to think of being able to go to London to seek your fortune, but then this year’s panto at Salisbury Playhouse is based in a golden era when life was lived in technicolour and it was perfectly
THE artists and craftspeople of The Sorting Office studio in Eastleigh have made it their mission to spruce up your Christmas stockings with a whole range of handmade gift ideas. Are you looking for a gift with a twist? Then jewellery maker, Joanne
MUSICIAN, singer-songwriter and actor David Essex visits Hampshire to introduce his new film tonight. Traveller will be shown at Fareham’s Reel Cinema at 7.30pm and the heartthrob will also be signing copies of his new album, Reflections. Two
A jury has retired for a third day to consider its verdicts in the trial of a Southampton rent boy accused of murdering a man after bleeding him financially dry. Ricardo Pisano, 36, allegedly killed openly gay Michael Polding, 62, whose body was
THE festive season felt like it was truly under way at Southampton’s Central Hall with this fantastic seasonal concert. Southampton Choral Society first performed alongside the Royal Marines Association Concert Band at a Titanic tribute event last
THERE is an energetic, zestful quality to this piece of juvenilia of Messrs Rice and Lloyd Webber, despite its serious underlying story, that was captured extremely well in DYT’s new production. Under the capable guidance of musical director Rachael
CONSIDERED to be perhaps the most autobiographical of Noel Coward’s plays, Present Laughter is another of his witty, satirical comedies, focusing on the matinee idol and Lothario Garry Essendine and the complications in his life and work. Director
ONE spring evening, 1912, Arthur and Sybil Birling, with son Eric, toast the engagement of their daughter, Sheila, to entrepreneur Gerald Croft. All are full of selfimportance until their celebrations are shattered by the unexpected arrival of
TWO brave police officers plunged into a freezing cold lake in a desperate but futile bid to save a man from drowning at a Hampshire park. The pair were first on the scene at Lakeside Country Park yesterday responding to a panic-stricken 999 call
AT first glance it’s the home that has it all. There’s a dream motor parked in the garage, a rolling English country garden and woodland birds in a rainbow of colours perched in his baby girl’s nursery. But take a closer look and you’ll find
ROMSEY Town might well spring a surprise ‘new’ signing on Moneyfields in the Sydenhams Premier tonight. Former manager Danny Barker, who parted company with the club in October, has agreed to help out his successor and former assistant Carl Bennett
IF Winchester City’s players expected a pat on the back for going in 2-0 up at half-time against relegation-fighting Fawley AFC, they were sorely mistaken. Instead, unimpressed manager Neil Hards blasted them for going against team instructions
Fareham Heathens kept control of Snows Group Hampshire 2 with another clinical performance, this time against Fawley. A narrow defeat on the opening day of the season is the only blot on an otherwise near perfect record for Heathens. Since
Gosport & Fareham stretched their lead at the top of London 2 South-West and put a huge dent in Tottonians’ promotion hopes. Leaders Gos got the better of third-placed Totts 34-15 at Gosport Park and increased their points advantage over Guildford
Ellingham & Ringwood RFC are still on the shoulders of London 3 South-West’s leading two at the half-way point of the season. The Es picked up their ninth win of the campaign with a 16-8 victory at fifth-placed Sandown & Shanklin. Ellingham
Teenager Bashley (Rydal) all-rounder Ryan Higgins hit 80 off 84 balls but was unable to prevent England losing by three wickets to Pakistan in their second Tri-nations Under-19 one day international in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Higgins hit a six and
MULTI-million-pound plans to build a showpiece arts centre in a Hampshire town are likely to be thrown out tomorrow, the Daily Echo can reveal. Civic chiefs are being urged to reject an application from Ringwood Community Association, which wants
LAST year Craig got his dream Christmas present – his first ever job. Having never had paid employment before Craig, then 23, secured a yearlong work placement with Daily Echobacked scheme Life Chances, run by Southampton’s Rainbow Project.
SHE was a high flying project manager overseeing the building of primary schools. But when funding for the projects Jo Robertson was working on was cut, she found herself out of work with a week’s notice. Suddenly, she was an unemployed single
SHE is the doting wife who drove a car into her husband after years of domestic abuse. The stress and emotional turmoil caused by a violent relationship triggered Sally Stickland to plough her silver Nissan Micra into John Stickland, her husband
THERE are delays for motorists on a Hampshire motorway this morning after crash. The westbound entry at junction seven of the M27 has been closed as emergency services attend to the incident. A black Jaguar XF crashed on the slip road
SHOLING have finally got their wish of a home draw in the FA Vase. Having followed victories at Wessex rivals Winchester City and Folland Sports with a 4-1 win at Reading Town on Saturday, Dave Diaper's Boatmen will entertain Essex Senior League outfit
Despite being separated by around only 20 miles of the M27, Saints and Portsmouth have enjoyed vastly different fortunes when it comes to producing young players down the years. While the list of top names to be churned out of the Saints academy is extensive
Saints have the distinct advantage of top level experience on their side as they take on Portsmouth in tonight’s FA Youth Cup tie at St Mary’s. While Pompey have to make do with taking on sides such as Northampton, AFC Wimbledon and Crawley in the Youth
SAINTS’ academy has long been the envy of the footballing world. The great names to have come through the club’s youth ranks start way back when and takes in luminaries such as the Wallaces, Shearer, Le Tissier, Walcott, Bale and Lallana. Saints are
Kevin Pietersen is one of three senior players set to miss the limited-overs leg of England's Ashes tour in the new year. Pietersen, James Anderson and Graeme Swann will take no part in the five one-day internationals, or three Twenty20s, scheduled
Rockers Biffy Clyro have been unveiled as the first headliners for next year's Isle of Wight Festival with Under Control DJ Calvin Harris also announced. Other big name acts taking to the stage during the first major festival of the summer are
TRAIN passengers face delays of up to half an hour this morning due to a signalling problem in Southampton. The disruption is affecting services between Southampton Central and Brighton, and Southampton Central and Horsham due to the issue at St
A drug dealer has been forced to repay more than £39,000 he made profiting from crime. Joshua Jhugroo must return £39,232.41 in the next six months or spend a further 15 months in prison. He was jailed for four years in August at Southampton
A NEW Forest pony was killed in an accident on the C10 at Longslade Heath. In another incident a pony was injured in a collision on the B3054 at Hilltop, near Beaulieu.
DETERMINED thieves got away with a £6,000 quad bike after removing anchoring points securing the vehicle to concrete. Police say the gang targeted the 500cc black and yellow Polaris Scrambler quad in an outbuilding at Cherville Street in Romsey
SPECIALIST dog units have helped with fresh searches of a Hampshire shoreline where body parts were discovered washed up. Police returned to Weston Shore yesterday to scour the area again, 24 hours after a dog walker made the gruesome discovery
