SouthseaScene

Portsmouth Guildhall is throwing open its doors on Saturday 14th August, 11am – 5pm, to welcome people back into the city’s premier Concert and Events venue and give a sample of some of the performances, activities and workshops that the venue and its creative partners have to offer throughout 2021/22, and to celebrate the city’s creative economy. SAMPLED, a FREE event, will offer something for everyone including live music from LMSUK Media, the chance to get creative in a craft & design workshop with The Maker’s Guild, circus skills with The Parenting Network and a samba workshop with UVG – The Urban Vocal Group. In a taster of the Guildhall’s Games Fest and Portsmouth Comic Con events, there will be the opportunity to play new and retro board and computer games with partners Dice and Game Over and the chance to meet some of your favourite superheroes and characters with GoGeek Events. If you’ve always wanted to be the star of the show, now is your chance as you can take you...

The University of Portsmouth Business School has retained its Small Business Charter Award in recognition of its work to support students, small businesses and the local economy. Portsmouth Business School has held the Small Business Charter (SBC) accreditation status since 2015 and is one of only 33 Business Schools in the UK and Ireland. Portsmouth is one of four business schools to have successfully completed their reassessment through the SBC’s virtual assessment process. It will now hold the SBC Award for a further five years. The assessors were impressed by the environment created and the range of opportunities to stimulate and support student engagement with the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) community. These include placements and consultancy projects offered through the Business and Law Clinics. The panel regarded Portsmouth Business School as a champion of engagement with SMEs. Professor Jeremy Howells, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, said: “This a...

Determined that the show will go on for young people this year, The Guildhall Trust is taking its hugely popular dance competition event for schools and colleges, Dance Live! on the road to record pupil’s performances and then screen them as an evening of Dance Live! TV. Liaising closely with the schools and colleges that were registered to perform in the competition’s heats in March and finals in April at Portsmouth Guildhall, the Dance Live! team has worked to secure an option that meets the challenges posed by Covid-19 restrictions whilst ensuring the event can still go ahead for the young people who have already missed out on so much over the last year. The plan to take an LED screen, backdrop, dance floor and filming equipment into each school or college at the end of May (when hopefully restrictions will allow) will give participants the opportunity to record their performances within their bubbles and produce their ‘Journey to Dance Live!’ and ‘Screen Content’ videos as planned,...

The Black History Month Film Festival in Portsmouth will be launched on 11th October with a screening of “Harriet”, a 2019 American biographical film about abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Black History Month (BHM) is held every October with the aim to promote knowledge of black history, culture and heritage, and positive contributions of black people to British society. It is an opportunity for everyone to give some time to exploring and expanding our own knowledge of black history. In support of BHM the University of Portsmouth has collaborated many times with the Portsmouth Film Society (PFS) to put on films which highlight the history of black people, therefore raising awareness and promoting community cohesion. The programme gives free admission to staff and students at the university and the screenings take place in the Guildhall. University’s Equality and Diversity manager, Dave Small, said “As a university, we’re not only leading in research and innovation, but also on the forefron...

Portsmouth Museums service celebrates St George's Day with the launch of a new online portal and new websites The new websites allow the museum service to showcase all the exciting displays across all the museums and enable staff to show off specific items, exhibitions, displays, and events. A brand new 'Stories' section tells of the fascinating tales behind some of the collection items, detailing their histories or how they came to be in the museum's possession. Plus, members of the museum teams have a chance to show off some of their favourite items, and explain why they like them so much, in the new 'Staff Recommends' section. Later, the city's museum collections will also be available on the websites, allowing visitors to look through all the items held by the museum service. This covers all items, both on display and in storage, to allow visitors the chance to learn so much more about the thousands of items that have been donated to the service ...

The city’s iconic Portsmouth Guildhall may currently be closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic but The Guildhall Trust, the charity behind the busy concert and conferencing venue, is determined that the ‘Show Will Go On’ when they are given the go-ahead to re-open, with lots of rescheduled shows and new events also going on sale. The Guildhall’s popular Portsmouth Comic Con is moved back to Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August with Jamie Cullum, Elbow, Jimmy Carr and the world’s leading MJ tribute; King of Pop all moved back to dates later in the Summer and Autumn. Other shows are moving into the Winter/Spring of 2021 including Paul Weller, Chris Ramsey, Milton Jones, Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals, The Boys are Back and The Joe and Dianne Show. The Guildhall Trust is still working with the promoters of a small number of shows to reschedule dates and they thank people for their patience as promoters work through the monumental task of rerouting their entire tours. Existin...

We have really enjoyed shopping for fresh fish in Viviers in Camber Dock. We would go and check out what's available during our lunch break and plan our dinner around what we find that day. One of the most common and cheap fish to have is mackerel and at Viviers you can find really shiny (fresh) ones. Mackerel is also easy to prepare, partly because it doesn't have scales. Cleaning scales often adds to the time it takes to prepare fish for dinner.   Here's our fast and delicious recipe for a simple mackerel fillet with chilli and lime Ingredients per person One mackerel, butterflied Juice of half a lime 1 tsp of dried chilli flakes 1 tsp of vegetable oil Line the grill pan with aluminium foil and brush with the vegetable oil. Lay the fillet skin side down and sprinkle with the chilli flakes and squirt with the juice of half a lime. Let it stand for 10-15 minutes if you can to let the chili mingle with the lime juice. Heat the grill and grill for 5-7 minutes...

We have lots of great parks across the city - which are open for people to use for their daily exercise with their family - whilst observing social distancing advice. We're working hard to keep our parks well maintained so that people can enjoy using them and use the space nearest them. Our work includes mowing the grass - as it grows rapidly at this time of year - keeping sites free of litter, maintaining our grounds and trees and daily visual inspections to make sure they're safe to use. The welfare of our grounds maintenance staff is our priority and we've implemented measures to ensure they keep at a distance from colleagues and the public, both when working in the open space and within welfare areas and that welfare facilities and PPE are available. Cllr Steve Pitt, Deputy Leader, Portsmouth City Council said: "We're all encouraged to take exercise daily to get out and enjoy parks and open spaces with those in our household. It's so important t...

A new illustrated children's book - 'Gustav the Brave' is swooping into land at The D-Day Story in time for BookFest 2020. There are a limited number of pre-bookable spaces - free with a valid entry ticket for The D-Day Story - for the launch of the new Gustav the Brave book on 21 February at 2pm at The D-Day Story. Book via: www.portsmouthbookfest.co.uk for a full programme of events. 'Gustav the Brave' is the story of a local, feathered D-Day hero - who won a Dickin Medal for his achievements.  He was the homing pigeon who bought back news of the D-Day landings in June 1944. Gustav's story has been brought to life by poet Steve Tasane along with a group of young Portsmouth writers. The launch will include a display of 'pigeons in war' memorabilia, craft activities for children and displays featuring items relating to Gustav and the Portsmouth man who owned him. There'll also be the first public reading of the story by writer and perform...

Portsmouth City Council's Museum Service is 125 years old on 21 January 2020. On 21 January 1895 Portsmouth town council opened its very first museum - housed in the old Town Hall in the High Street, Old Portsmouth which stood next to what is now The Dolphin public house. In September 1904 the council purchased Charles Dickens Birthplace in Commercial Road and in 1931 Cumberland House was turned into a natural history museum with an art gallery. During the Second World War the museum building in Old Portsmouth was bombed and a large part of the collection was lost: Cumberland House became the main museum until new premises could be found. The 1960s and 1970s were a time of growth for the museums service - Southsea castle was purchased in 1960 and in 1972 a new city museum opened in the striking building on Museum Road, part of the former Clarence Barracks. Eastney Beam Engine House was also opened to the public as an industrial museum in 1972. The latest addition to ...

Photo cred. James Taylor Check out the Portsmouth Amateur Diary and what's on in January 2020. Start the year with some foot-tapping musicals and drama! CRATCHIT'S CHRISTMAS CAROL by HAVANT DYNAMO YOUTH THEATRE 8-11 January at The Pallant Centre, The Pallant Centre, The Pallant, Havant PO9 1BE TREASURE ISLAND by THORNGATE PANTOMIME AND VARIETY COMPANY 11-12 January at the Thorngate Theatre, Bury Road, Gosport PO12 3PX ROBIN HOOD by the Hayling Island Amateur Dramatic Society 11-18 January at the Station Theatre, Station Road, Hayling Island PO11 0EH SLEEPING BEAUTY by WINDMILL PLAYERS 17-18 January at the Clanfield Memorial Hall, South Lane, Clanfield PO8 0RB TREASURE ISLAND by THORNGATE PANTOMIME AND VARIETY COMPANY 18-19 January at the Thorngate Theatre, Bury Road, Gosport PO12 3PX CINDERELLA by CROFTON AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY 23-26 January at the Crofton Hall Theatre, Stubbington Lane, Stubbington PO14 2PP CRAZY FOR MUSICALS by CCADS THEATRE 25 ...

Portsmouth's annual fireworks display at King George V playing fields will take place on Wednesday 6 November. The children's funfair opens at 4pm and the bonfire will be lit at 7pm. The fireworks display will start at 7:30pm following the countdown from Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth. This year's display has been supplied by Pains Fireworks and there's also stalls selling hot food & refreshments. Cllr Steve Pitt, Portsmouth City Council's Cabinet Member for Culture and City Development said: "The fireworks display is always popular and attracts lots of people from across the city so get there early to enjoy the spectacular display." Visitors are asked not to bring their own fireworks or sparklers to the display for health and safety reasons. Travel: Car parking will be available at Lakeside for £2 which will be donated to the Rotary Clubs of Southsea Castle, Portsmouth and Southsea and Rotaract. Please avoid crossing Western Road which is a h...

This October the University of Portsmouth celebrates Black History Month (BHM) with a programme of cultural festivals, film, talks and a call to add to the University’s archives and collections in the Library. Black History Month promotes knowledge of black history, culture and heritage, and positive black contributions to British society. In support of BHM the University is supporting various activities throughout the Month, in conjunction with the Multicultural Staff Network and Student Union and Portsmouth Film Society. The University is also signing up to the Race Equality Charter , which aims to improve the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education. Some of the events currently planned throughout the month include: Throughout October, University Library Our Global History archive project The University is proud of its global heritage - but as with so many institutions, it sadly has little recorded black history to date...

As I enjoyed the sunshine during the May Bank Holiday, I made a list of some lovely events you can enjoy this month. The award-winning circus theatre company Ockham's Razor performs at the New Theatre Royal this Friday 10 May and Saturday 11 May. Good for anyone aged 5 and above. On Saturday 11 May Portsmouth Cathedral hosts a Rumfest. Enjoy live music whilst sampling a whole host of different rums, in partnership with the Portsmouth Distillery Company. Portsmouth Light Orchestra is in concert on 11 May at the Church of the Resurrection in Drayton. Tickets £7 from 02392 371135. Flo & Joan are the British musical comedy duo, and sisters, Nicola and Rosie Dempsey. They return for a hometown show at the Wedgewood Rooms on 12 May. Expert Touch Tour guide Jo Bressloff leads a fascinating tour of The D-Day Story’s Overlord Embroidery on 14 May. Spaces must be booked in advance from 02392 834744 or email mvs@portsmouthcc.gov.uk . Portsmouth Films Society runs the Green Festival on 15...

As published in Portsmouth View 12 April 2019 Echoes of Home is the theme of the evening concert by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at the Guildhall with music from Sibelius, Tchaikovsky and Smetana on Friday 12 April, 7.30pm. Celebrate physical format music and independent record shops during the Record Store Day on Saturday 13 April with Pie & Vinyl, from 8am to 9pm. Continental Circus Berlin will be in Southsea Common until Sunday 14 April. Enjoy brilliant circus acts, music and high energy, fantastic performers from all over the world. Portsmouth born Ant Middleton, best known as the Chief Instructor for Channel 4's hit shows SAS: Who Dares Wins, Mutiny, and Escape will bring his brand new, fully immersive show The Mind Over Muscle Tour to the Guildhall on 15 April, 7pm. Join The Elizabeth Foundation’s Community Fun Day on 17 April, 1-3pm, with activities for the whole family. Take a walk with baby alpacas Pippin and Nugget, take part in a variety of activities or si...

Here's my review of places to go for lunch around the Guildhall. The Square Cafe Inside the Guildhall, the selection of pizza at this cafe is good value at £4.50. Our favourite is the Greek one with spinach, red onion and Feta cheese. A good selection of cakes also available with the usual selection of coffee. It can get quite crowded during lunch time. Canvas Cafe Tucked inside the Portsmouth & Southsea Station it's worth a trek for the best coffee and cakes. They come from Bread Addiction. Andre's Food Bar Everything looks good in this branch of the well-known family run cafe. The menu tends to be adventurous and there are daily specials too. Not many seats available. 113 Kitchen & Bar On the site of a formerly bustling cafe, this joint is also serving mainly pizza. The decor is a little sparse and grey but the food is good. We can also recommend the calamari starter. Leilamezze Occupying the former Old Vic Pub the Lebanese mezze place is becomin...

Children and young people came together on Wednesday 13 March at Portsmouth's Guildhall for an evening of music, drama and dance. Soundsational was a celebration of musical talent in Portsmouth and it was an opportunity for the young performers to take to the stage in front of enthusiastic audience of friends, families and members of the public. In the company of the Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor David Fuller, schools and colleges from across the city performed a variety of familiar songs, stage hits and extracts from musicals. Elton John's Circle of Life, Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me Kate and songs from Fame were just some of the songs performed alongside music from the Kings of Leon, Nirvana and Foo Fighters. The stage was packed with rock bands, choirs, dance groups and the audience were delighted by the eclectic mix of music that left everyone wanting more. Cllr Suzy Horton from Cabinet Member for Education said after the show: "It's been an incredible ...

The Guildhall is hosting a free event to celebrate the cultural and creative industries in the city on Thursday 31 January from 8:30am-1pm at Guildhall Studio, Portsmouth Guildhall. At the event, Cllr Steve Pitt,Cabinet Member for Culture Leisure and Sport at Portsmouth City Council, will talk about the importance of cultural and creative industries for the region's economic growth while Professor Trevor Keeble from the Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries at the University of Portsmouth will talk about employment and enterprise in the UK Creative Industries and in Portsmouth. There will also be key note speakers from successful international creative film, design and music industries who will be sharing their experiences, discussing future challenges and how we shape future growth in the city. Cllr Steve Pitt said: "There's a huge amount of creativity in the city and many cultural and creative industries to celebrate including literature, film and music, art, ...

King Henry VIII invites you to experience Christmas traditions from his Royal Tudor Court. There will be dancing, merrymaking, magic and music. Throughout the museum you will meet characters from Henry’s court – jesters, courtiers, musicians and ladies in waiting.  Learn to dance like a Tudor lord and lady, learn to curtsy and bow, discover what Tudor music sounded like, find out what food the king would eat at Christmas and how the king’s jester made the court laugh.  Who know, you may even meet the King himself! Make Christmas Memories at The Mary Rose on these dates: Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th December Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th December Saturday 29th - Sunday 30th December This event is FREE with a valid Mary Rose ticket.

Members of the Southsea Coastal Scheme team, who are designing new sea defences for 4.5km of Portsmouth's seafront have gone that extra mile to raise money for The LifeHouse , a resource and support centre for those in need, located in Albert Road, Southsea. To raise funds, employees from Portsmouth City Council , Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership and Balfour Beatty came together to take part in the Great South Run in October this year. The more experienced runners covered the 10 mile course, with the rest running in the 5K race meaning that runners of all levels could get involved. They have now smashed their fundraising target of £450, with the current total reaching over £600. Lesley Wenden, Manager at the LifeHouse said: "Not only did this team of people complete the Great South Run for us but they also raised over £600 in doing so! Thanks to this wonderful achievement and people's kindness through donations, we will be able to put the monies raised towards some l...