SouthseaScene

As appeared in the Portsmouth View, October 2016 Looking at the programme of activities for the HG Wells Festival you can see how Portsmouth has given him much inspiration. The festival programme takes in everything from talks about Wells’ influence on popular culture and his passion for human rights to the latest scientific thinking on time travel and a creative writing and science fiction workshop. Science is so much a part of our lives that we do not often realise. When you make a cup of tea and the dry leaves turn into a comforting brew in the cup, it is science in action. All that you have in our mobile phone is science. Science is all around us. We do a lot at the university to encourage young people to study science. Sometimes it surprised me that we have to work so hard to do that. After all, science is really fascinating. Do we not wonder about how trees die down in the winter to come blooming in the spring? Or have we taken science for granted? This month I urg...

There are a number of excellent science and environmental events in Portsmouth next week! Cafe Scientifique Portsmouth explores Lycopene, a red pigment from tomatoes and its role in cancer, with Dr Mridula Chopra. Cancer remains a challenge to prevent and treat. Cancer preventive agents from natural source are of interest as they pose minimal adverse effects. Several dietary components have been highlighted in this respect. Population based studies have shown that individuals consuming lycopene (pigment that gives red colour to tomatoes) containing foods show lower incidence of cancer. Dr Chopra, from the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Portsmouth, will talk about the mechanisms through which lycopene can inhibit the cancer related processes and relate this to the amount of lycopene that needs to be consumed and factors that can improve its bio-availability. She would also highlight other cancer preventive dietary components. Date: Tuesday 24 May...

Where can you get the best burger in town? My vote still goes to the ABar Bistro! The meat is very juicy. Other places I can recommend for a good burger is Le Cafe Parisien. Here you can choose between a beef, chicken or vegetarian burger. Each topped with some lovely battered onion rings. As people have preferences and probably been to many other places in Southsea, please feel free to add your recommendations in the comment space below. Looking forward to hear from you!

Southsea is a lovely part of the big city of Portsmouth. It sits on the southern tip of the island and that’s where you should come down for a lovely day on the coast. There are lovely shops along Palmerston and Albert Roads and a nice walk along the pebble beach from historic Old Portsmouth to Eastney.  It’s also wheelchair and pushchair accessible, so the whole family can enjoy a walk on the seafront. And once you’ve done that, what else to do but to sample some of the delightful cafes Southsea has to offer. The Tenth Hole (023 9283 0009)  Eastern Parade, Southsea PO4 9RF If you start in Eastney, you will see a well-known establishment in Southsea, whose name is synonymous with cake. It’s cakes galore! The portions are large and the prices economical. The only problem is choosing one! Find out what Southsea has been talking about all these years. Casa de Castro (023 9281 1883)  96a Albert Road, Southsea PO5 2SN I was wondering why a friend kep...