SouthseaScene

The Flying Scotsman locomotive will be in Corfe, in the station yard, for another two weeks. You can pre-book tickets @ £7.50 for a footplate visit (talk to the engine crew, have all the levers and dials explained, ask questions and walk through the secret tunnel through the tender to allow crews to be changed without stopping the train). It's great! You can also get a ticket for £20 which includes the Scotsman tour and a ride up and down the line. Or, you can get a very good look at the locomotive for free from the station platform. Check details on www.swanagerailway.co.uk Portchester Beer Festival is back with its mix of local and national real ale, food and entertainment this Saturday 13 April. With over 30 real ales, ciders and perrys to choose from, as well as Prosecco cart, there is something for everyone to try. This year there is Dave Barrett taking over the Afternoon Session & The Damiain Lodrick Band rocking the Evening Session. The new Gourmet Build a Burger will ...

Portsmouth Film Society has announced its 5th Green Film Festival programme which will take place on 22 to 24 May in the Eldon Building, University of Portsmouth. Part of a worldwide movement to highlight environmental issues through film, festival organisers have selected three films that touched different aspects of our world. The festival launches with the screening of Embrace, a film that tackles the global issue of body image and screened with the support of the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industry which is concerned with the impact the related fashion industry has on the overall wellbeing issue. Is there something we can do to ensure the survival of important food plants? The film Seed follows passionate seed keepers who are keen to ensure the survival of our food varieties. Before the screening, people can also hear a short talk by Dr Rocio Perez-Barrales, senior lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Portsmouth. Tackling hard issues isn’t al...

The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre is feeling green-fingered this February with its Glorious Garden Family Festival. Get involved in some of the opportunities taking place across Havant Borough and help your family have fun, get creative and get their imaginations growing! First, why not pick up one of the 1000 free craft packs available now from libraries and community venues across the borough. The packs contain everything your child will need to make their very own flying friend at home – will they make a bumblebee, a ladybird or a butterfly? Then, why not pop-in to one of The Spring’s ‘A Bug’s Party’ garden pop-ups? They are perfect for a fun family afternoon out - shrink down to bug size and get busy like a bee, wiggle like a worm or spin like a spider to celebrate the garden’s Queen Bee! These events are free for everyone and there is no need to book in advance – just come along at any time and stay as long as you like. The events are 2-4pm each day on: Saturday 10 February...

The best in comic book, TV, film and pop culture entertainment comes to Portsmouth on Saturday 5 th and Sunday 6 th May 2018 as Portsmouth Comic Con, International Festival of Comics hits the South Coast!       In one of the largest regional events of its kind, this brand new convention will celebrate the art of comics, illustration and the worlds of TV and film, providing fun for aficionados, lifelong fans and families alike. Glimpse behind the camera of Doctor Who , with one of its leading prosthetic makeup artists, see behind the scenes art from HBO’s Games of Thrones and dress in your best cosplay - prizes will be awarded on the day!     Portsmouth Comic Con, International Festival of Comics will feature some of the most important comic writers and artists in the industry, with many creators appearing in the UK for the very first time. All guests have worked on some of the biggest properties in genre including Star Wars , Game of Thrones , Doctor W...

One of the most eagerly awaited children’s book of 2017, THE WIZARDS OF ONCE publishes in September, launching a brand new series by Cressida Cowell, author-illustrator of the 8-million-copy-selling How to Train Your Dragon series, which has inspired a generation of readers as well as a DreamWorks’ movie and TV franchise of the same name. The Hayling Island Bookshop in conjunction with Portsmouth Grammar School are delighted to announce that they will run one of Cressida’ Launch Tour Events. The early evening event will take place at the David Russell Theatre, Portsmouth Grammar School, High Street, Old Portsmouth on September 26th starting at 5pm. The new book is suitable for children aged 8-12. Each £12.99 ticket entitles the attendee to one copy of the new book and hear Cressida talk about her new series. Cressida will hold a book signing after her Talk. Ticket holders will also receive a poster. A selection of Cressida’s other books will be available to purchase, with ...

This article appears in the Portsmouth View published 12 August 2016.  Portsmouth has become a real foodie paradise and no one is more pleased about it than me. I love food, not only in eating it, but also in creating meals. So living here is such a delight for me. The monthly farmers market on Palmerston Road is a must and the next one is on 21 August. It is the best place to find fresh local produce and stock up on delicious cakes, preserves or wines. Summer also means food festivals of which there are many you can find in this bustling city. We have just witnessed a Gin Festival in Portsmouth Guildhall, home also to beer festivals. In fact, make a note in your diary for the Octoberfest celebration there on 21 October. This weekend the Thai Food Festival in Castle Field, a regular feature on the summer calendar, will complement the Kite Festival nicely offering favourites such as pad-thai and fishcakes. Of course we also have the annual Southsea F...

A SUMMER NIGHT’S SERENADE: THE LONDON MOZART PLAYERS, LAURA VAN DER HEIJDEN AND TIM POSNER. Portsmouth cathedral FRIDAY, 19 JUNE 2015 19:30 The UK’s longest-established chamber orchestra is joined for a very special evening by Laura van der Heijden (BBC Young Musician of the Year 2012) Tim Posner and the Festivities Youth Choir. This promises to be a perfect opening night event of Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Handel and Brahms. THE SWINGLE SINGERS: TIMELESS ; CONCERT.Portsmouth Cathedral SATURDAY, 20 JUNE 2015 19:00 With powerful and versatile voices, The Swingle Singers work classic music into wonderful and surprising new shapes. Be captivated by their dazzling and moving versions of timeless pieces. Whether it’s a Bach aria reimagined as a chilling murder ballad, or a meltingly beautiful interpretation of a favourite Beatles tune, The Swingle Singers bring their tireless invention and vocal mastery to an eclectic repertoire spanning five centuries. “The Swingle Singers pitched those...

Here's a copy of my article that appears in this month's Portsmouth View: Thinking of May always brings up images of the Maypole and country fete. St Mary’s Church May Fayre is one of my favourites. May is a good time to check out the farmers market offering local produce in abundance. In Southsea we are fortunate to have the monthly market on Palmerston Road. The farmers markets are complimented by the Love Southsea Markets which features many local crafts and artists. Have you tried a bar of ‘lemon soul’ soap by Southsea Bathing Hut? When the farmers market is not here, visit the Southsea Greenhouse located near Canoe Lake. It is a community garden built on a piece of derelict land. You can volunteer to do gardening activities such as planting, digging or pottering. You can also donate or barter produce from your garden with the Southsea Greenhouse. As the weather becomes warmer, it is also a good month for enjoying the many cafes in Southsea. Sit back, relax,...