The scent of spring blossoms mingled with freshly brewed coffee last week as Colden Common’s revamped Rising Sun pub flung open its doors for the first time in months. After a full refurbishment including an extension and new facilities, the 150-year-old landmark now serves breakfast pastries and early-morning brews daily from 10 a.m. Owners confirmed the £180,000 upgrade was completed on schedule, with a soft launch held on International Women’s Day.
Just three miles away, the Twyford Singers and Jazz Band took centre stage on Friday evening, launching a two-night run at the parish hall. Directed by David Hall, the ensemble performed a set of classic pop numbers reimagined for choir and brass, interspersed with instrumental solos. All proceeds benefit Winchester and District Young Carers, with organisers confirming over 40 tickets sold ahead of the show. Children under 16 attended free, while adults paid £18 at the door or via TicketSource. A free glass of wine or soft drink accompanied each programme.
Key Points
- ✅ Jazz concert supports local young carers
- ⚡ Programme includes vocal and instrumental pieces
- 💡 Under-16s enter free; £18 for adults
On April 25, the village green will transform into the stage for A Comedy of Terrors, a murder mystery penned by Ronni Davis and performed by the Geriactors. The evening’s plot revolves around a fictional murder at a Twyford fete, with attendees invited to play detectives. Tickets cost £15 and include light refreshments, though organisers urge guests to bring their own drinks. Adequate parking has been arranged at Twyford Village Hall, but organisers ask attendees to reserve seats by April 13 by contacting the event coordinator.
| Event | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jazz Concert | March 20–21 | 7:30 p.m. | Twyford Parish Hall |
| A Comedy of Terrors | April 25 | 7 p.m. | Twyford Village Hall |
| Lenten Soup Lunch | March 21 | 12–2 p.m. | St Mary’s Church, Twyford |
St Mary’s Church will open its doors on March 21 not just for soup, but for service. The Lenten Soup Lunch offers broccoli and cheese or tomato and red pepper soups by donation, with proceeds split between Christian Aid and the church’s outreach fund. Volunteers are also invited to join the Churchyard Working Party at 9:30 a.m., tasked with tidying graves and planting snowdrops for next year’s display. Organiser Andrew Brooks confirmed that helpers are encouraged to stay for lunch, and donations of snowdrops in the green are welcomed to bolster next season’s blooms.
💡 Pro Tip
If attending the working party, bring gardening gloves and sturdy shoes. Volunteers should also bring a trowel if possible, as supplies are limited.
Compton and Shawford Parish Council has launched a Spring-themed photo competition open to all ages and skill levels. Entries must depict local landscapes, flora, or seasonal themes, with a strict rule against identifiable people or pets. Up to two photos per entrant will be accepted, with winners receiving a £25 voucher for Platform 1 Café. Submissions close on May 4, and the winner will be announced at the Annual Village Meeting on May 14. All images may be used in council communications.
📋 By The Numbers
- 2 entries — Maximum allowed per participant
- £25 — Prize value for each winning entry
Cllr Liam Bailey-Morgan, councillor for Colden Common and Twyford, released a 15-minute video last week detailing how sewage can enter the River Itchen. The clip, created with support from the Environment Agency and local councillors Sue Cook and Louise Anne Parker-Jones, addresses the March 4 spill on Bishopstoke Lane and ongoing discharges from Harestock Wastewater Treatment Plant. The video has been viewed over 2,000 times in its first 48 hours.
- 📊 Over 2,000 views in 48 hours
- 🔍 Video highlights infrastructure failures near sensitive waterways
- ⚠️ Campaigners call for urgent action on wastewater management
Families in Otterbourne and surrounding areas are being urged to open their homes to international boarding school children this term. Pippa’s Guardians seeks host families, particularly those with younger children, to care for students aged 8 and up during half-term breaks and occasional weekends. The organisation handles all background checks and offers competitive rates. Interested families can call 01684 252757 or email with a contact number attached.
- Contact — Call or email with your phone number
- Check — Organisation conducts full safeguarding and DBS checks
- Commit — Short-term hosting available during school breaks