George Ratcliffe

A Southern Railway train derailed near Lewes railway station in East Sussex at 3:54 p.m. on August 13, prompting a joint response from ambulance, police and fire services. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance treated people at the scene alongside other emergency teams. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed concern, while authorities urged the public to avoid the area. The cause of the derailment was not yet known.

A nationwide ban on disposable barbecues is reportedly under consideration after several wildfires during the UK heatwave, including a major blaze in the New Forest. Andy Burnham urged the public not to use disposable grills or cigarettes outdoors while the long-term response is determined. The New Forest has prohibited disposable barbecues since 2020, and most major UK supermarkets have recently suspended sales voluntarily following guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council. Labour MP Jon Pearce is also campaigning for a government ban before next summer.

Two women aged 64 and 46 from Southampton were arrested in James Street, St Mary's, on suspicion of possessing a Class A controlled drug with intent to supply. Police seized a small amount of suspected Class A drugs, drug-dealing paraphernalia, mobile phones and SIM cards during an ongoing investigation. Officers urged residents to share information through police channels or Crimestoppers.

The 12-year lease for the historic Roundabout Hotel in Fareham is being offered for a guide price of £60,000. The property includes 17 en-suite bedrooms, a fully licensed 75-seat restaurant suitable for weddings and private functions, parking and a garden. Christie & Co says the hotel has an annual rent of £50,000 and recorded £755,342 in turnover in 2025, with convenient access to the Portsmouth and Southampton ferry ports and the M27.

New Forest councillor David Harrison has renewed calls to remove time restrictions on disabled bus passes, arguing that disabled people should be able to travel freely for work, leisure and medical appointments. He welcomed campaigners’ efforts and Southampton City Council’s decision to scrap its restrictions, while criticizing Hampshire County Council for failing to act after a visually impaired Marchwood resident raised the issue. Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon is pursuing a Private Members’ Bill to change the law nationally, with its introduction planned for September 15.

ITV has confirmed that the Southampton–Portsmouth South Coast derby at St Mary’s Stadium on October 11 will be broadcast free to air, with kickoff scheduled for midday. It is one of five EFL fixtures selected for free coverage. The clubs drew both league derbies last season, and their return fixture is scheduled for February 28 at Portsmouth’s Fratton Park.

Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth will host its month-long Castaway Cove celebration throughout August, featuring live music, family activities, street food, tropical drinks, circus workshops and salsa dancing. The festivities will culminate in the return of the Seafood Festival during the August bank holiday weekend.

Galbi Korean Restaurant on Albert Road in Southsea was ordered to close after Portsmouth City Council inspectors found an active mouse infestation, droppings near open food and inside an oven, an oriental cockroach in bar water, and wider cleanliness problems during a July 28 inspection. Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order on July 30, requiring the restaurant to remain closed until the health risk is removed.

A section of the A32 Wickham Road near Fareham will close overnight from August 17 to August 31 for road improvements, including construction of a new bus lane, resurfacing and a pedestrian walkway. A 16.2-mile diversion will affect Wickham Road, North Hill and parts of the M27 around Junction 10. Hampshire County Council is managing the work, with real-time updates available through its roadworks reporting service.

Funtley Road in Fareham will close for resurfacing between 8 p.m. on August 13 and 6 a.m. on August 15. Hampshire County Council has planned a 6.8-mile diversion expected to add 14 minutes to journeys, with warning signs and a pedestrian walkway provided. The works may begin at any point within the advertised closure window.

Hovertravel has added trial-service dates for its new 15-minute route between Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire and Ryde on the Isle of Wight. Additional flights are scheduled for August 5, August 19 and September 12, alongside previously announced dates in August and September. The service has reportedly attracted strong demand since its June 28 inaugural journey, with tickets selling out quickly; bookings for the new dates are available through Hovertravel.

Police found makeshift dens and evidence of previous fires in undergrowth at Wicor Recreation Ground in Portchester, Hampshire. Hampshire Constabulary warned that hot, dry conditions could allow a small fire to spread rapidly, threatening wildlife, property and the public. Officers also cautioned young people against climbing marina structures, entering restricted areas and approaching dangerous mudflats and fast-moving tides, urging parents to discuss these risks with their children.

Hampshire Resistance plans to protest proposed upgrades at Haslar Immigration Removal Centre in Gosport, while Gosport Together is organizing a counter-protest. The planned demonstrations follow criticism of a previous protest involving offensive language and flag burning. Hampshire Constabulary says it will deploy resources and balance the rights to peaceful protest with the need to prevent disruption and protect public safety.

GAFIRS volunteer Tom Barnett helped a sea swimmer who developed signs of hypothermia after being brought ashore by a pilot boat near Gosport and Fareham. Barnett called an ambulance and contacted GAFIRS station key holder Andy Barber, who opened the station so the casualty could wait in warmth while South Central Ambulance Service attended. Barnett and Barber monitored and reassured the swimmer until the ambulance arrived.

Fareham Borough Council is preparing a masterplan to redevelop part of Solent Airport and Swordfish Business Park in Lee-on-the-Solent. The proposal could relocate an airport taxiway and demolish existing buildings, including the Bellman hangars. Construction is expected to take place in phases over approximately 10 to 15 years, with the council seeking a screening opinion on whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is required.

The former Stoke Chippy on Stoke Road in Gosport is being marketed for £260,000. The property includes a two-bedroom first-floor flat, a private rear yard and commercial premises, offering potential for an investor or first-time buyer to combine a home with a business. Trafalgar Property Consultancy is handling the sale.

Mariusz Szczyglo was sentenced to two years and six months in prison for joining violent disorder in Southampton after drinking 12 cans of beer. Prosecutors said he threw bricks and cans at a police cordon and pushed riot shields. Allan Harcourt received 20 months for confronting officers and throwing a brick, while Jarrad Wareham was sentenced to 22 months for throwing bottles at police. Jordan Hambleton, accused of throwing an e-scooter that fractured an observer’s jaw, pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article but denied threatening someone with a blade; he was remanded until September 4.

Andrew Riddett, 38, was remanded in custody after appearing at Southampton Crown Court on a charge of violent disorder linked to protests on St Denys Road in Portswood on June 2. He is accused of spitting blood at police from a distance and using a racial slur against an officer. The prosecution said hostility toward police was extremely high and continued throughout the events, while the defence argued that Riddett had approached officers seeking help after falling from his bicycle and injuring his face. He has not entered a plea and will remain in custody until September 4.

Riley Hawkins, 18, was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court to 15 months in prison suspended for two years after throwing an unidentified object toward police during disorder in St Denys Road following Henry Nowak’s murder. He was also fined £500 and ordered to complete up to 30 days of rehabilitation activity. The judge cited his lack of previous convictions, neurodiversity and mental-health difficulties as mitigating factors. The protests injured 12 officers and involved property damage, thrown objects and a burning bin; 33 people have been charged in connection with the violence.

During his first visit to Hampshire as prime minister, Andy Burnham said residents should expect him to return regularly and pledged to represent southern England as well as the north. He called for stronger community cohesion and a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime following recent tensions in Southampton, and said the government would support MPs in Southampton and Portsmouth. Burnham also highlighted defence-related investment in Portsmouth as part of a broader reindustrialisation strategy and promoted devolving power from Westminster and Whitehall to communities along the south coast.

South Street in Gosport will close in stages on August 3–4 and August 5–6 while Hampshire County Council undertakes road patching and resurfacing. A 5.7-mile diversion will be in place during both closures, adding around 15 minutes to journeys. The council says the thin surface treatment is a fast and cost-effective maintenance method.

Police are asking the public to help locate Natalia, a 53-year-old woman last seen in Hassocks, Sussex, on July 26 at about 9:15 p.m. She has links to the New Forest, Hampshire, Dorset, Richmond and London, and may have travelled to the New Forest. Natalia is described as 5ft 4in with brown eyes and shoulder-length light-brown hair; she was wearing a blue-and-white summer dress and beige sliders and carrying a neon-orange blanket. Anyone with information is urged to call 999 and quote serial number 1451 of 26/07.

The Hampshire Vegan Festival will return to Portsmouth’s Mountbatten Centre in Hilsea on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Organised by Vegan Events UK, the event will feature more than 50 stalls offering plant-based food and drink, cruelty-free beauty products, sustainable fashion, homeware, talks, demonstrations and workshops. Miracle’s Mission will be among the exhibitors. Entry costs £5 for adults, under-16s attend free, and £15 VIP tickets include fast-track entry and a vegan-product goody bag. The festival runs from 10:30am to 4:30pm.

Southampton Bargate market traders say they lose vital winter income because the weekly market closes in November and December to make way for the Christmas market. Traders cite high Christmas-market costs, limited alternatives and difficulties retaining staff and planning their businesses. Southampton City Council says the closure is specified in the weekly market contract, that the two markets were procured separately, and that weekly traders may apply independently to the Christmas market operator.

Former Hampshire police inspector Gerard Hutchings, 66, was sentenced to ten years in prison at Bristol Crown Court after being convicted of sexually abusive and unjustified strip searches involving young men. He abused 18 male victims aged 17 to 31 between 2000 and 2007, bringing eight into his office and stripping them under the pretext of searches, sometimes touching them. A later investigation reviewed his notebook and custody records, identified 373 people he had contacted, and obtained accounts from 17 additional victims. The judge described the conduct as a prolonged course of abuse involving numerous vulnerable victims. Hutchings had previously been dismissed and jailed in 2008 for related misconduct.

A large cobweb appeared outside a house on Byron Road in Thornhill, rapidly expanding over several weeks across the property’s gate, wall and door. Resident Hayley Weeks documented the growth as passersby stopped to take photos, noting that local schoolchildren were fascinated. The cobweb, which grew significantly between mid-July dates shown in two photos, has since been removed by a neighbour.

Emergency services responded to a large woodland fire in the New Forest, where a 600‑square‑metre area was damaged. Multiple fire engines and ambulances were deployed, and access to the area was blocked while crews extinguished the blaze. Firefighters remain on site, and a nearby resident expressed concern about wildlife fleeing the area.

Firefighters are tackling a large blaze between Deerleap Enclosure and Ashurst in the New Forest, prompting authorities to ask the public to avoid the area. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is leading the response, and traffic services report no significant congestion near the scene.

Police are seeking information after a 27‑year‑old woman was punched in an unprovoked attack on a Bluestar number 1 bus in Southampton. Officers released an image of a man they wish to identify, described as white, aged 30 to 40, slim, about six feet tall, with brown shaggy hair and dressed in a dark jacket, blue jeans, and black‑framed sunglasses. Witnesses or anyone with relevant information are urged to contact police referencing 44260288051.

Police are investigating a fire that caused significant damage to a home in Orwell Close, Gosport between 4.30am and 5am on July 10, and believe it started in the back garden. Officers are appealing for witnesses, including anyone who was in the area or has CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage, and information can be provided directly to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers.

A community fun day in Mansel Park ended early after more than 20 caravans and several horses arrived on the field, prompting stallholders to pack up and families to leave. Attendees described the event as well organised before the sudden disruption, which also involved a fence post being cut. Police monitored the encampment set up in an adjacent field, where caravans, vehicles and horses occupied the area.

A 40-year-old man from Portsmouth has been charged with two burglaries involving stolen money and jewellery from homes in Swanwick and Waterlooville. Both incidents were reported in mid-June, and the suspect has been remanded in custody ahead of a scheduled appearance at Portsmouth Crown Court in August.

Police are seeking information after more than £100 of meat was stolen from a Co-op store in Chandler’s Ford on June 18. CCTV images of a man described as white, aged 35–45, tall and slim, wearing Adidas clothing have been released as part of the investigation. Authorities urge anyone with relevant information to contact them quoting the provided reference number.

Stoneham Lane Football Complex in Eastleigh was closed by Hampshire FA due to an unforeseen water pump room issue requiring emergency repairs, forcing scheduled bookings to be cancelled. AFC Stoneham moved their friendly match to Winchester City, expressing gratitude for the late accommodation. The facility will remain closed until at least Monday, with affected bookings credited for future use and staff emphasising customer safety as the priority.

The mother of Henry Nowak’s killer, Kiran Kaur, received a three‑year prison sentence for assisting an offender by removing the murder weapon. Vickrum Digwa, convicted of murdering Nowak and sentenced to a minimum of 21 years, is appealing his conviction while the Solicitor General has also referred the sentence as unduly lenient. Digwa’s father and brother face multiple weapons charges, all of which they deny, with a trial scheduled for September 2027. Thirty‑three people have additionally been charged over violent disorder connected to protests following the murder.

A Southampton Crown Court judge sentenced Kiran Kaur to three years in prison for removing and hiding the ceremonial dagger her son, Vickrum Digwa, used to fatally stab student Henry Nowak. Prosecutors said her actions hindered the investigation by concealing the weapon and supporting her son's false claims, while the defence argued she acted impulsively to protect him. Local MP Satvir Kaur supported the custodial sentence, and the case renewed criticism of Hampshire Police for arresting the dying victim at the scene.

Judge William Mousley KC sentenced Kiran Kaur to three years in prison for assisting her son, Vickrum Digwa, after he fatally stabbed student Henry Nowak. The remarks detail the events leading to the killing, the actions taken by Kaur to remove and hide the weapon, and the family’s attempts to mislead police. The judge emphasized the seriousness of concealing the murder weapon, the significant harm caused, and the need for punishment and deterrence, concluding that only immediate imprisonment was appropriate.

Portsmouth City Council approved plans to convert the Progressive Spiritualist Church on Vivash Road into two one‑bedroom flats despite the lack of private amenity space, judging the project acceptable due to local housing needs. The application, submitted for the Spiritualists National Union, received permission based on documents valid on March 16, 2026, with work required to begin within three years.

A ground‑floor leisure unit in the former Debenhams building in Portsmouth is on the market for £925,000, currently leased to JSK Fitness Ltd trading as Anytime Fitness on a long‑term agreement beginning in 2026. The refurbished site forms part of the Handley’s Corner development, which includes residential units and surrounding commercial outlets. The sale is promoted as an investment opportunity with an annual rental income of £78,400 and is subject to standard anti‑money‑laundering requirements and VAT as a Transfer of Going Concern.

Sections of Southsea promenade are closed from July 10 to July 31 to prepare for the SailGP event on July 25–26, with the affected area stretching from the Blue Reef Aquarium to the rear of the Pyramids. Southsea Castle will also be shut during this period, while other nearby attractions remain open. Road closures and parking restrictions will apply around Avenue De Caen and Clarence Esplanade, and the council advises travellers to allow extra time or use public transport.

A three‑day one‑way closure of the B3035 at the A334 junction in Hampshire will run from July 27 to 29 while Southern Water Services repairs a water cover and AV fittings. Drivers will be diverted on an 8.9‑mile signed route via Wickham Road, Winchester Road and Coppice Hill, adding roughly 16 minutes to journeys. Two‑way signals will control traffic exiting the B3035, and motorists are advised to check routes before travelling.

A long‑closed Clarks store at 108 High Street in Gosport is set for public auction on July 29, 2026 with a guide price of £250,000. Planning permission approved by Gosport Borough Council allows conversion into three shops and nine letting rooms, including extensions and external alterations. The building’s deterioration has contributed to the rundown appearance of the surrounding area.

A Southsea man received a three‑year, four‑month prison sentence for creating and sharing doctored intimate images of three women and encouraging online harassment. Police linked the images to a website later seized by U.S. law‑enforcement authorities, revealing a global child abuse network with more than 50 victims. Hampshire officers coordinated with the FBI and Florida authorities during the investigation. The victims experienced significant trauma, and the offender was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and an indefinite restraining order.

A 15-year-old boy caught illegally fishing on a private estate near Romsey was given a community resolution requiring him to write an apology letter. The incident forms part of Operation Traverse, a police effort to address rising summer crime and anti‑social behaviour along Hampshire’s rivers, including fish poaching. Authorities highlight the financial impact on fisheries and past instances of intimidation against river keepers. Joint patrols by police, the Environment Agency, the Angling Trust and the Rural Crime Task Force continue along the River Test and River Itchen, with police urging the public to report related offences.

A proposal to convert Rose Villa, a former care home in Sarisbury Green, into a nursery and five flats has been rejected by Fareham Borough Council due to inadequate parking and vehicle‑movement plans that were deemed a safety risk. The council also cited insufficient mitigation for increased recreational pressure on Solent Coastal Special Protection Areas. The nursery would have accommodated up to 55 children, and the plan drew 14 objections.

A Gosport takeaway, Dino’s in Stoke Parade, received a one‑star food hygiene rating following a June 17 inspection that found major improvements were needed in food handling and safety management, though cleanliness of facilities was deemed satisfactory. The business disputed the rating and requested a revisit, while maintaining a 4.6 Google review score.

Police in Hampshire arrested a man after officers noticed a car with a severely under‑inflated tyre and an England flag displayed from the window. Checks revealed the driver’s licence had been revoked and that he had previously failed to appear in court. The grey Volkswagen Passat was stopped on Botley Road in Park Gate, and the driver was taken into custody, given a traffic ticket, and is due in court.

Pubs across Southampton expect record crowds as fans prepare to watch England face Argentina in the World Cup semi final, following England’s dramatic extra‑time win over Norway. Managers report overwhelming demand during previous matches and anticipate even heavier footfall due to the earlier kickoff. Supporters describe tense moments and jubilant celebrations, with venues planning extended festivities should England win.

Temperatures across Southampton and nearby areas are forecast to exceed those in Bilbao as a heatwave persists into the following weekend. Gosport recently experienced some of the highest June temperatures recorded in the UK, and the region is expected to continue seeing highs near or above 30C before gradually cooling toward the weekend.

A floral display featuring red, white and purple blooms was unveiled in Valley Park to mark the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday. Organised by Valley Park Parish Council, the 2026 Summer Floral Display includes 160 hanging baskets and nine floral troughs supplied by Window flowers. Local MP Liz Jarvis, parish chairman Alan Dowden and representatives from St Francis Church of England Primary School attended the launch, which celebrates community pride, green spaces and the Queen’s legacy.

Harbour Lights Beefeater in Portsmouth has been listed for sale at £900,000, including a three‑bedroom flat and seating for more than 300 customers inside and outside. The restaurant, located beside a Premier Inn in Port Solent, is being sold as part of Whitbread’s disposal of underperforming sites, with staff transferring under TUPE regulations. Several other Whitbread properties in Hampshire have recently been sold or repurposed.

7Bone in Southampton was named among PETA’s top ten vegan chicken providers for its plant‑based tenders and variety of vegan dishes, receiving praise for flavor and innovation. PETA highlighted the wider growth of vegan chicken options while encouraging consumers to choose animal‑free meals, with other restaurants including Fat Hippo, Hank’s Vegan Restaurant and TastyMK also featured on the list.

Emergency services responded to a welfare concern involving a woman at Funtley railway bridge in Fareham early in the morning. Police, paramedics, fire crews and doctors attended, and the woman was placed in the care of the ambulance service. The railway diversion line was cleared shortly afterward with no disruption to train services.

Burger King is preparing to open a new restaurant at Fareham Trade Park in Gosport, where signage is already in place and planning approval for advertising and a drive-through has been granted. The company confirmed the location will open soon, though no date has been announced. The site, situated near existing outlets including KFC, was originally slated for a Tim Hortons before those plans were withdrawn.

A group of travellers set up an unauthorised encampment at the Wickham and Knowle recreation ground, prompting concerns from local representatives about damage, disruption and costs to the parish council. Photos showed several caravans parked on the site. The local neighborhood watch spokesperson expressed hopes the group would leave the grounds tidy, while police confirmed they had visited to assess the situation and were liaising with the landowner.

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust reported ten NHS-designated never events at Queen Alexandra Hospital between April 2025 and May 2026, including wrong-site surgeries and errors involving implants, prosthetics and foreign objects. Group chief nurse Steve Thomas said investigations were conducted under national standards, with patient and family input and external expert review. Affected departments included musculoskeletal, ophthalmology, dermatology, orthopaedics and pathology. The trust could not provide compensation figures, as such claims are managed externally through NHS Resolution.

A fire erupted in a second‑floor flat on St James Close in Shirley, Southampton, after residents reported hearing a loud bang. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service evacuated one resident, extinguished the kitchen fire using a hose reel jet and ventilated the property before declaring the incident under control shortly after 10am. No injuries were reported.

A former care home at Queen Anne Lodge in Southsea has received approval from Portsmouth City Council to be converted into 18 self-contained flats, including rear extensions, cycle storage, and waste and recycling areas. The project, submitted by architect Carl Leroy-Smith on behalf of Nightingale Residences Limited, must meet conditions related to building materials, surface water management, fencing, and water‑usage limits. Construction must begin within three years, and the approval was granted despite five resident objections.

Chris Packham announced a boycott of Pret A Manger after the company delayed its commitment to stop using fast‑growing chicken breeds, prompting protests that included a large animatronic display. Animal welfare groups criticised Pret for moving its target from 2026 to 2032 and launched a public campaign. Pret defended its record, saying it meets most Better Chicken Commitment standards and questioned why activists targeted a company still engaged in welfare reforms, while emphasising safety and support for staff during demonstrations.

Emergency services responded to reports of several people struggling in the water off Lepe Beach, prompting deployment of lifeboats, coastguard teams and an ambulance. Solent Rescue transported all four people safely back to shore, and ambulances later left the scene.

Actor Kris Marshall visited the Golden Lion pub in Fareham after searching for a place to watch England’s World Cup knockout match, posing for photos with the pub’s owner and staff while supporting England’s 2–1 win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo during a visit to see a friend perform at Fareham Live.

A 38‑year‑old man, James Barry Daniel McMurray, has been charged with nine shoplifting offences involving more than £1,200 in stolen goods from shops across Southampton, Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford. The alleged thefts targeted several Tesco Express locations as well as Sainsbury's and Simply Fresh stores, with items stolen including meat, coffee, fabric conditioner, cleaning products and chocolate. McMurray, who has no fixed address, was arrested following an investigation and remanded to appear at Southampton Magistrates Court on July 3.

A black Trek Marlin bicycle was stolen after a man cut its lock outside Totton Health and Leisure Centre in Hampshire. Police released a CCTV image of a man they wish to identify and appealed for information via phone, online reporting or Crimestoppers.

A woman in her eighties suffered serious leg injuries after being struck by a white Vauxhall Mokka on Bishopsfield Road in Fareham. The collision occurred around 4:30 p.m. on June 30, and the victim was taken to hospital for treatment. Police have launched an appeal for witnesses and are seeking anyone with information or relevant dashcam or CCTV footage, referencing case number 44260310483.

Three boys aged 12 and 13 from Portsmouth were arrested after dead pigeons were found under South Parade Pier and after they were reportedly seen stamping on pigeons and using slingshots on Commercial Road. Police seized three slingshots, and the boys were arrested on suspicion of killing a wild bird and possessing an offensive weapon. They were released on bail until September 30 as investigations continue.

Five women aged 19 to 23 were racially abused and threatened by two women inside an arcade at Clarence Pier in Southsea. No physical harm occurred, and police have released CCTV images of two women they wish to identify. Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Hampshire Constabulary quoting reference 44260256219.

Readers captured images of the Strawberry Moon as it appeared prominently over Southampton, Hampshire and the New Forest. The phenomenon, traditionally named by Indigenous Americans to mark the strawberry harvest period, appeared larger due to its low position in the sky. Local photographers, including Rosina Rousey and Yen Milne, waited for clear skies to photograph the rare lunar display.

A Portsmouth MOT testing centre in Alchorne Place is being marketed for £250,000, offering a long leasehold with approximately 78 years remaining. The industrial building includes a workshop, office, reception and equipment such as car lifts, and is currently leased to Kevin Marshall and James Bartholomew at an annual rent of £21,500. The site covers 1,823 square feet within a major local industrial estate with good transport links.

Golden Star Chinese Takeaway in Gosport received a zero food hygiene rating following a June 3 inspection that found major improvements were needed in cleanliness, building condition, and food safety management. The business stated it was disappointed with the result, outlined steps taken to address concerns, and requested an immediate reinspection. The family-run takeaway, operating for more than 55 years, is expected to close later this year as the owners plan to retire and the site may be redeveloped into residential flats.

Residents in Gosport have raised concerns over vehicles being parked on grass verges and pavements in Bridgemary, prompting Councillor Paul Carter to call for more considerate behavior from motorists. Carter highlighted increasing pressure on parking due to multiple-car households and urged the community to avoid blocking footpaths or abandoning vehicles, stressing the need for long-term solutions to maintain safe and accessible streets.

A new two‑day Thruxton Triple Challenge will take place in August 2026, requiring pilots to complete skill‑based tasks across Solent Airport, Thruxton and Popham. Solent Airport will run a timed arrival challenge, while Thruxton will host a taxi test and Popham a spot landing competition. Solent Airport managing director Matt Wilkins said the event aims to showcase the airfield as a welcoming destination without creating additional noise for residents. The contest is open to pilots capable of landing at all three airfields, with spectators able to watch for free. Prizes include fuel and sponsored awards, and entry fees will support charity.

Plans have been submitted for a Toby Carvery to replace the Beefeater Oast and Squire pub on Peak Lane in Fareham. Mitchells & Butlers, which owns Toby Carvery, proposes internal and external refurbishments requiring full planning permission and listed building consent. The application forms part of a broader investment in maintaining and improving the building, with details available through the local council’s planning portal.

Police arrested a 38‑year‑old man in Gosport after reports he was acting erratically and threatening people on the High Street shortly after midnight on Sunday. He was detained on suspicion of using threatening or abusive behaviour and later bailed with conditions while enquiries continue. Officers urged witnesses or anyone approached by the man to contact them, quoting the provided reference number.

A Morrisons supermarket in Gosport began selling advent calendars and other Christmas confectionery on July 31, prompting mixed reactions from shoppers who either welcomed the early festive products or wanted a longer break from seasonal promotions. Morrisons said it starts selling Christmas goods several months early because some customers like to plan ahead.

Mariusz Szczyglo was sentenced to two years and six months, Allan Harcourt to 20 months, and Jarrad Wareham to 22 months for violent disorder during protests in Southampton on June 2 following Henry Nowak’s murder. The court heard that the men threw bricks, cans or bottles at police and confronted the cordon. Jordan Hambleton, accused of throwing an e-scooter that fractured an observer’s jaw, pleaded guilty to separate robbery and possession charges but denied threatening someone with a bladed article; he was remanded in custody until September 4.