Helen Dixon

Cromfest will return to the grounds of The Cromwell Arms in Romsey over the August bank holiday weekend, offering free family entertainment from noon to 6 p.m. on both days. Attractions include a barbecue, bouncy castles, live music, flying displays by Huxley’s Birds of Prey, and magic and balloon sculptures by Kevin Cann. Donations will support Naomi & Jack’s children’s hospice in Sutton Scotney.

Philip Baker criticized Asda and Boots pharmacies in Waterlooville after dispensing stickers were placed over Braille on medicine packaging, potentially preventing visually impaired patients from independently confirming a medicine’s name and strength. The General Pharmaceutical Council advises pharmacy teams to avoid obscuring Braille where possible. Boots said colleagues generally avoid covering Braille and can provide alternative dispensing processes and large-print labels, while Asda said it had reminded staff to keep Braille visible. The issue is significant in Hampshire, where 8,005 people were registered blind or partially sighted in 2023.

Winchester handyman Ben Sharrock, 49, completed a self-supported 2,175-kilometre cycle across mainland Great Britain in 13 days, visiting its northernmost, westernmost, easternmost and southernmost points. Despite heavy rain, headwinds, steep hills and severe fatigue toward the end, he finished the challenge and raised £5,545 for Great Lakes Outreach, nearly £7,000 including Gift Aid. The charity supports communities in Burundi through agriculture, education, healthcare, business and other initiatives, and Sharrock continues to accept donations through JustGiving.