SplashSolent Friday October 28, 2011

Southampton’s community newspaper

YOU ME AT SIXGuildhall gig reviewed: Page 7

SOLENT’S BIG SCRUM-DOWN

BACK PAGE

GUTTED freshers have blasted the AAA

wristband, saying the events pass is too expensive and the

clubs it gave them access to often failed to meet their expectations.

The passes, which cost £54 including postage and packaging, are sold by Dirty Box Promotions at fatsoma.com and have been popular in the previous years. However, last year they sold at £20.

In 2008 the passes sold out in two weeks - a trend that continues as freshers know about them before they start their studies at university or even move into halls.

Becky Tyler, a first year studying travel and tourism, said: “I’m happy I bought the pass because I didn’t have to worry about paying up front. I could also socialise and make new

friends, but it was too expensive for what it was.”

This view was echoed by other first years such as Nik Syrimis, a big partygoer known as Wolfman who is studying sound engineering.

He said: “I would have liked to have paid £30 for the pass instead of £54.”

On overall impressions, he said: “All the events at Oceana were appalling, especially the foam party.”

Bedford Place is well-known for its strip of clubs and this is where many of the students were expecting a lot of the events to be held.

One of the big changes students want to see for next year is a switch of venues to meet this expectation.

No one from Dirty Box promotions or Fatsoma was available for comment when we contacted them.

DISCOUNT IT!Shih Tzu gives raiders a taste of ruff justiceBy JOSH SHENTONA miniature dog has saved its owners from burglars who broke into 5 homes throughout a one-night crime spree.

Hundreds of pounds worth of goods were stolen from homes in the Harefield area by a group of serial burglars. Luckily the Hunt family was woken by the barks of their tiny Shih Tzu.

Worried schoolgirl Emily Hunt recalled what happened: “The dog barks woke us up and there were noises coming from downstairs.”

Her parents went down stairs to realize that burglars had fled. Now Emily says: “We just don’t feel safe anymore, nobody knows when the burglars might come back.” She is thankful though that the burglars didn’t get away with anything of value.

This crime that took place on the 8th of October following a string of burglaries which have taken place since Wednesday the 28th of September. The crimes were throughout the Harefield area, which is located just outside Southampton city center leaving families devastated and scared for their safety.

When questioned, the police admitted that there has been a spree of burglaries in the area, however they wouldn’t divulge any further information.

With locals being given little information by police, they have been left scared and have expressed concerns; that there are not big enough deterrents for criminals and local authorities are taking too little action. Neighborhood meetings have been mentioned, but nothing has yet been confirmed.

This night of crime is not surprising for locals as the Harefield burglary rate has nearly doubled in the last 12 months, and have given it the 3rd highest burglary rate out of 47 local areas. Local Dan Upton said: “We are so pleased nobody has been hurt, but it’s still fringing that someone could.”

Thumbs down for ‘disappointing’ £54 freshers pass

By EMMA BELL

Hannah Green

02//Splash

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Contactrachel.lamb@solent.ac.ukphilip.dixon@solent.ac.ukkristian.low@solent.ac.ukkevin.o’donovan@solent.ac.uk

By JACK WETHERILLRESIDENTS of Bitterne have hit out at the ongoing issue of uncollected rubbish as council disputes with workers drag on.

Bin collections around the city have been problematic for a while now after the council proposed new contracts for the council workers.

Workers were threatened with dismissal if they did not sign the contracts and so undertook striking action in return.

This meant residents have been left without vital parts of council services, including regular bin collection.

According to Southampton City Council’s website, many concerned members of the public have been in touch regarding council tax rebates.

An official line, however, says: “All residents are legally obliged to pay their council tax in full.”

The council are collecting general rubbish bins on a fortnightly basis but for larger families this may not be often enough.

Due to the backlog in collections, however, bins might not be taken on the designated day.

Extra bin bags are provided by the council for waste that does not fit in the bins.

It is recommended that these extra bin bags are placed on the lids of the collected bins.

Green-waste bin collection has been suspended until further notice.

Recycling is collected once a month but residents have been urged to take their waste and recyclables to designated centres.

Some people in Bitterne have done the opposite and resorted to fly tipping to get rid of their waste.

This, along with overflowing waste bins, could lead to more problems for the area including rat infestations and smell pollution.

Elsewhere in the city, residents in Shirley are in uproar after their bins went unemptied for three weeks.

A resident said “I am very upset, I’ve made a complaint yet nothing has been done.”

Residents in uproar as bin row sees litter flood streets

£45m rejig serves up feast of activities at East Point

CENTREPIECE: The Tree of Life

By JACK WETHERILLBITTERNE charity East Point Centre has been remodelled thanks to a £45million fund from a scheme called New Deal for Communities.

The charity, which aims to bring together Bitterne locals, received funding to enable a new building to be designed and built.

The new East Point Centre, which cost £10million, will have several functions, including a social club, coffee shop, restaurant and a conference centre.

Paul Bennett, managing director, said: “We hope to provide more for the community.” Senior citizens,

for example, will be given the opportunity to purchase low-cost lunches during the week. It has been estimated around 600 three-course meals a day will be turned out.

The restaurant area is home to an outstanding sculpture, named the ‘Tree of Life’.

It was carved from a dead tree and brought into the centre in three parts. The roof was specially designed with a concave to allow for the sculpture to fit well.

A licensed bar is on the ground floor of the building with a separate room behind. A theme throughout the new centre is flexibility, with

many walls able to retract, allowing for bigger or smaller spaces to be created.

The centre will also offer space to local youth groups such as scouts and guides. Health and fitness classes will also take place, with Tai Chi being one to look out for.

Big night out to be a blast

RELAX, THERE’S NOTHING FISHY ABOUT THIS PEDI

By JACK EVANSA CITY fish pedicurist has spoken out to allay fears over the treatment carrying a risk of users catching diseases such as Hepatitis C and HIV.

Devlotees of the therapy appear to be drawn in by the appeal of a ‘natural’ treatment.

However, an article in the Daily Mail whipped up scare a over the treatment, which sees people sit together with their bare feet dangling in a fish tank, while the fish nibble away at their dead skin.

It has been claimed that if any foot wound is bitten open by the fish, it can contaminate the water and cause a spread of diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C to anyone else using the tank.

As Southampton has a number of places where this treatment is available, Solent Splash decided to find out the risk to locals.

Dean, from The Pedi Bar in the Marlands Shopping Centre, told us: “They’re different fish. Our garra rufa fish are toothless, so they cannot bite open wounds.”

A short screening process has also been put in place to ensure the safety of all customers.

The fish pedicure treatment originated in the natural hot springs of Kangal, a small town in Turkey, where the Garra Rufa fish have long been sought-after by locals for the unique benefits they offer for skin conditions.

The Health Protection Agency has said those with diabetes, psoriasis or a weak immune system should not use fish pedicure.

An agency spokesman said: “We have issued this guidance because there are a growing number of these spas.

“When the correct hygiene procedures are followed, the risk of infection is very low.

“However, there is still a risk of transmission of a number of infections.”

Therapist says infection fears over foot therapy are ‘toothless’

By MELISSA WYLIEMAYFLOWER Park will host a spectacular fireworks display on Saturday November 5, starting at 7.30pm (weather permitting).

It will be presented by the Southampton Round Table and will feature brilliant effects and shapes such as smiley faces and cats.

To keep the entertainment running during the daytime, a funfair will be at the park from 1pm.

It is recommended that you buy your tickets in advance from the Tourist Information Centre on Civic Road. Adults cost £5, children £3.

Limited tickets will be available at a higher cost at the gate on the night.

WATER WAY TO UNWIND: Fish at work in the Pedi Bar

Splash//03

By OLIVIA LEWINGTONSHIRLEY has gone stir crazy for baking following the success of BBC2’s Great British Bake Off.

The pupils at Shirley Junior School, Southampton have jumped on the baking bandwagon, holding the Big Cake Bake and with everyone’s cooperation the school raised £474, making the day hugely successful.

Parents and students at the lower school got involved in baking, in order to raise money for the charity Shelter. The school encouraged pupils and parents to work together hoping that the children would learn a great life skill, whilst helping a good cause.

The school prides itself on treating pupils as individuals as well as teaching them to respect and care for one another. Shirley Junior School often holds fundraising events as they hope that their pupils will become aware

of their surroundings, and that they learn values that will benefit them in the future.

It has been debated that cooking programmes such as Great British Bake Off, are responsible for the sudden rise in traditional baking. The programme saw 12 amateur cooks battle it out to discover the nation’s best baker. And it appears the show’s effect is spreading all over Britain.

Last week Lakeland reported sales of icing bags, muffin cases and other baking equipment were up by a third.

Other major department stores, such as Marks and Spencer and John Lewis, have also seen big rises in sales of baking goods.

With more than 5 million people tuning in to the final of Great British Bake Off, it doesn’t seem that this hobby will fade any time soon.

STRICTLY GERSHWIN

Fundraising? It’s a piece of cake

for this school..BBC hit inspires pupils to cook up £474 for Shelter

By KELLY SLADEA new show capturing the classic days of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers opened to acclaim at The Mayflower on October 18.

The show, Strictly Gershwin, celebrates the music of George and Ira Gershwin and includes choreography by former Artistic Director of English Ballet, Derek Deane OBE.

Classics such as ‘I Got Rhythm’, ‘Summertime’ and ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ were given a new lease of life and proved a hit with the

audience. Dancers from the English National Ballet were accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra, live singers and a jazz band.

Grandmother Phillipa Creed said: “The costumes were fantastic.

“The dancers and music took me back to watching Gene Kelly films when I was young.

“If I could, I would go every night.”

The show runs at the Mayflower till October 22. For tickets, go to www.mayflower.org.uk

It’s still Summertime as classic days of dance are celebrated at Mayflower

‘The show’s effect is now

spreading across UK’

By EMMA DATSONWESTQUAY shopping centre found itself busier than usual last weekend with the arrival of the Autumn Style Lounge and a fashion-loving celebrity.

‘The Only Way Is Essex’ star Sam Faiers opened proceedings, bringing in plenty of TOWIE fans.

Sam, who runs her own boutique fashion store and is currently filming the second series of the hit television show, was on hand to give her opinion on this season’s hottest trends.

Students took advantage of the free personalised advice, worth more than £200, and “overwhelmed”

the shopping centre, according to an organiser of the two-day event, who said: “I don’t think I’ve seen that many students in one place before.”

From 11:30, beauticians and stylists presented shoppers with this season’s newest trends.

Style bloggers Hannah Thompson and Anna McQueen were present throughout the day to provide an industry insight into the fashion forecasts of autumn 2011.

The advice and services on offer ranged from make-up demos and colour matching workshops to masculine tailoring and a 60s style fashion show. Not only did

The only way is Southampton as Sam drops in for WestQuay fashion launch

students watch the catwalk shows, but they also received free make-up demonstrations in preparation for Solent’s Freshers Ball on the Sunday evening.

“I think that most were here to get some tips before the Ball - they all seemed quite excited,” said a beautician working at the event.

Vouchers for WestQuay’s many shops were handed out to the crowds of people, making it a busy weekend for staff too.

One beautician said: “It’s been a very good weekend. The place was heaving and everybody seemed to really enjoy themselves.” DRESSED FOR SUCCESS: WestQuay shopping centre

POETRY IN MOTION: Show dancer in action

04//Splash

By HANNAH GREENA FRESH wave of development in Ocean Village could soon be given the green light.

The news will come as a welcome relief to people weary of seeing half-finished developments blight the area in the wake of the credit crunch, which hit builders hard in 2008.

Bargate Councillor Sarah Bogle said: “There is a half finished block of flats opposite the entrance to Ocean Village, as well as a delayed hotel development.

“Not only does this make Ocean Village look like a site for sore eyes, but it’s unfair on the residents who have high hopes for their area.

“Allied Developments has now put in its planning application for Admiral’s Quay, so that is starting to move.

“However, it has been delayed for many years before this, until they took it over from Barratts.”

Even with the planning application in, Allied has estimated the build to be complete no earlier than Easter 2014, which proves just how long it takes to put everything back on track after the topsy-turvy road of the credit crunch.

Hammerson, the developer behind WestQuay, has also been working on a project for the next phase of Bargate’s revmp, otherwise known as Watermark WestQuay, which Sarah said “isn’t likely to start until 2013 now”.

Taking into consideration the delays of these projects, roughly 28 per cent of the city’s population thinks these plans will never be seen through.

The figure shows that there is still a dent in the confidence residents have in the city’s vision.

Bargate build poised for the green light

HOPES: Councillor Sarah Bogle

By SOPHIE GHATREHAFTER plans being disrupted over a long period of time, the new Sainsbury’s that is being built on Portswood road is on schedule to open in spring 2012.

The plans were first rejected in 2007, since which Sainsbury’s revisited their design and the plans were approved in 2009.

Changes have since been made again and the store is set to be 25% larger than the original design after being approved by the council.

Morgan Elder, 20, who lives directly opposite the site wasn’t aware of what was being built and

feels the process has been very low key. She said “it’s positive for the community, but I think it will take some business away from the smaller local shops”.

Another resident opposite the site told of how the constructors have been washing their windows some evenings, after the dust from the site drifts over to their house.

Some weren’t as happy with the building process, complaining of loud noise levels at irregular times during the day.

Sophie, 16, an employee at T&M Gannaway Fruitiers, told of how she thinks their business will be taken

BUILD: The new store takes shape

By JACOB BENNETTRESIDENTS of Shirley have blasted plans to cut off Street lights across Britain in an effort to save money.

The idea, being mooted across Britain, comes after a survey of local authorities revealed “98 out of the 133 that responded had cut back on street lighting, or looking to do so”.

Richard Hallett, 62, a baker, said: “It’s wrong, completely wrong. The lights help us notice things, it’s not secure to go walking in the dark and it’s not safe for drunken students.”

A statement from the chairman of the Local Government Association’s economy and transport board said:

“Done in consultation with the police and local communities, reducing lighting can save taxpayers money without reducing public safety.”

A pensioner, 77, said: “I’m dead against it, they used to do it where I last came from and it was awful.”

The plans come into action to beat the council tax freeze which sees a rise in other services such as school dinners. The cuts are not only affecting Southampton but most of Britain following. Police have said it is a “terrible idea”.

Councils such as Cardiff, Sheffield, Edinburgh and parts of London have already agreed to cut off lighting.

Dim view of council bid to reduce street lighting

away once the store opens and of her manager’s concern as he has owned the shop since 1974 and is also worried about the impact on trade.

The owner of K’s market said she was “not bothered” about the arrival of the supermarket. She continued to say “my customers have been coming to me for years, my prices are lower and I know they would come to me first”.

Date set for Sainsbury’s site to spring into action

By MELISSA WYLIELUMINAR, the company behind the Oceana, Liquid and Lava nightclubs, has announced that it has gone into administration after being weighed down by debt.

Thousands of jobs are now at risk and a number of the popular clubs could be shut down.

The company, based in Milton Keynes, owns 75 clubs across the UK which could now eventually face closure. They are now in trade administration, which means they can continue trading until further notice.

Luminar announced it had called in its administrators after the banks refused to extend loan facilities. Following the hit of the recession,

the company began to lose money due to the unemployment rates being highest in 16-24 year olds – the main market for the nightclub chain. This paired with changes in licensing laws over the past years has left the company struggling.

Luminar tried to lift profits by introducing comedy nights, live DJs and student events. Oceana, based in Leisureworld on West Quay Road, opened its doors in 2008 and since then has seen the addition of a Woo Woo cocktail bar in an attempt to attract more visitors.

Student Maisie Sinclaire, 20, was shocked after

hearing the news. She said: “I would be gutted if Oceana closed, it’s my favourite nightclub!”

Student Alex Humphries, 18, added: “Surely if Oceana was to close down, another nightclub would appear in its place? It’s a really popular place to go.”

The 4,000-capacity nightclub had a £7million refurbishment before it opened its doors and has

seen a number of huge acts and DJs, including Calvin Harris and Zane Lowe, perform there.

It is in a popular location due to the large number of students residing in the city.

Jobs fear as debts force club owner into administrationOCEANA SUNK?

‘I would be gutted if Oceana

closed’

Splash//05

By KELLY SLADEA BIKE shop named Portswood Cycles has been forced to give up on trading after 35 years of loyal service to the neighbourhood.

It seems the recession is reaching the furthest corners of our towns. The shop owner, Sue Tomlin, who has been running the shop on her own for the past 2 years with only 3 other employees around to help has said, “it was sad to shut up shop but the climate has forced me to do it.”

Although bike shops aren’t hard to find when you live in a bustling city like Southampton, there is still something not as personal as buying your child’s first bike from a well known owner of a long standing shop over a commercial high street brand.

The personality of the shop and its contents, products and staff alike, is definitely something that will be missed by the local neighbourhood.

A local said: ‘It’s always been there you know, you may not have always realised but it was part of the road.’

There have been rumours that the cause of the business melt down is due to a super market seeking planning permission in the area however this has not been confirmed.

Speculations seem to be blaming the commercial businesses for the downfall of the independent ones. Unfortunately, this is not an unfamiliar story. Surely we should support our local tradesmen? Do we really want to see personality stamped out of our high streets completely?

Bicycle shop to shut its doors after 35 years

By ALEX DYERTWO classes from Swaythling Primary School have taken to the stage at the Point Theatre, Eastleigh, to perform Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

It was through the Shakespeare Schools Festival that years 5 and 6 performed a 30-minute adaption produced and organized by year 4 teacher Glyn Oliver.

Planning started a week before the school broke up for summer, but was interrupted by OFSTED. Only seven weeks were given to bring the whole show together, in what headteacher John Draper described as a “nightmare rush”.

It was the first time a primary school was allowed to participate, and John was eager to get his school involved as he aimed to bring the creative arts back in an attempt to “boost confidence and ambition”.

Given a choice of the Bard’s plays, the school chose Macbeth for the dramatic aspect, hoping to get the children excited and involved.

On the planning, Mr Oliver said: “I had my head in my hands, pacing up and down the corridor, but everyone was astounded by the full rehearsal.”

The BBC provided costumes and parents helped with alterations, as well as ensuring children learned lines. Mr Oliver added: “The kids were word-perfect after the holidays and it was bizarre to hear Shakespeare in the playground.”

“The performance was the proudest moment of my career.”

Primary’s take on Macbeth ain’t half Bard

By ALEX DYERA PENSIONER from Swaythling has used her own money to have a statue replaced at St Alban’s church.

Ruth Lever, 90, refused presents from friends and family and instead asked for money. The original statue inside the church which had been there since 1933, had been left to deteriorate and collapsed to dust almost three years ago.

It was due to a lack of finances within the parish budget that it hadn’t been replaced and parishioners hadn’t thought it would be replaced any time soon.

Ms. Lever decided to take it upon herself to replace it and contacted a local stonemason to do the work. Jamie Woolrich-Moon, of the Winchester Cathedral Works

Ruth, 90, answers church’s prayers for a new statueDepartment, has agreed to carve the new statue out of a piece of Portland stone from his workshop in Winchester.

A clay model has been made in Jamie’s garden-shed workshop and has been approved by the Reverend Canon Gary Philbrick, who said: “The statue will compliment the existing statues of St Mary, St George and St Agnes, while bringing something new to the church.”

Approval is needed from the local Diocesan Advisory Committee, the faculty in charge of the churches within Swaythling, but the statue should be ready by early 2012.

All that is left is to figure out how to put it up on its plinth, but the parishioners say they have a “cunning plan”...CUNNING PLAN: St Albans will have a new statue soon

BOOKS for free is exactly what it says it is. It’s a scheme within the Healthy Planet charity, which rescues books destined to end up in a landfill and redistributes them for free to the community.

The charity does this through a shop, located on Southampton’s busy High Street and resides in a currently unused shop.

Speaking to Cara Sandys, 52, the main volunteer at the Southampton shop, she expressed the charity has “nothing to pay for.”

This is because the charity is paid by the owner to reside in the unit as the owner gets a reduction on business rates.

When asking Ms Sandys about why she joined the charity, her response was: “Eastleigh Swan Centre was giving away books and I felt this was a great idea.”

She goes on to discuss how the charity is an “experiment in alternative economics” and follows the idea of “collaborative consumption”.

This means that the charity concept is focusing on funding not through money but through trading and how the charity itself is keeping its costs minimised.

This interesting economic scheme means the charity is able to give 90 per cent of money raised to its other projects.

The charity obtains funding mainly through online donations for conservation work, but also from sponsorship by businesses, money raised at events and through donations at the free book shops.

When asking customers their views on the charity, Amy MacDonald, 18, said that the concept is “really good” and will help “get kids involved in reading”.

She goes on to say it’s a change from people

Freed all about itA disused shop in the city has been given a new lease of life – helping to rescue books from landfill and get them back into people’s homes. NATHAN GENESE spoke to one of the leaders of this innovative charity

MISSION: Volunteer Cara Sandys outside the shop in the high street

ATTRACTION: People browse for books inside

paying “extortionate prices”. Another customer, Lana Vierling, 24, expressed that she wants to start “getting into reading” and that free books will help.

Books For Free aims to expand by setting up the

back which will be known as “the bank” and this will be used for music and film screenings.

An event which will be coming up soon in “the bank” will be the Lush event on the 28th October, which will include free hand massages.

However Ms Sandys also said: “The back space is free and available for use, so long as it has an environmental connection.”

If you want to find out more about the charity and its other projects, visit www.healthyplanet.org.

If you wish to get involved with the charity it is still looking for volunteers and on Sunday 23rd October there is a meeting at 2pm.

‘This is an experiment in

alternative economics’

06//Splash

By LAUREN GOODCHILDACTION by Southampton City Council has seen the number of children without school places drop from 75 to 17.

Parents of the children who didn’t manage to get a place feared that the lengthy break would affect their children’s future education, with some of parents being told it would be at least a month till a place could be offered to them.

However, the past few weeks have seen a turnaround, with children who didn’t get in at the beginning of the term being offered places in schools throughout the city.

Councillor Jeremy Moulton, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said more action would follow to ensure the problem is resolved.

He said: “Southampton has seen an unprecedented number of families who are new to the city applying in mid-August for school places this year.

“This has created pressures on places above and beyond what we had already planned for.

“The council is doing everything it can to remedy this and will continue to offer school places as quickly as possible.

“We will find a place for every child in the city who needs one.”

Southampton City Council has come up with a primary review, in which it is looking to increase the amount of school places in more than 20 schools in the area.

Harefield Primary School will be one of the many schools in Southampton to have an enlargement by 15 places per year group under the Primary Review.

School places crisis over as council plans for expansion

FEARS: Parents were concerned

By NATHAN GENESE and KATRINA ROYNIK Syrimis (aka ‘Wolfman’) excited the crowd of Pop nightclub last Thursday with his awe-inspiring playlist.

Nik performed as an Iplay DJ, where amateur DJ’s got the chance to play songs of their choice for 15 minutes.

In that time he changed a slightly bored crowd into something completely ‘mental.’

As a result he came second in the competition, only losing out in the vote as many of his fans were forced to leave early due to morning lectures. Nik is a fresher at

Southampton Solent, studying sound-engineering and revealed to us that he ‘lives, eats and breathes’ DJ-ing and would love to pursue a career within the field.

After his performance Mr Syrimis said: “The atmosphere was absolutely brilliant, like everyone went absolutely mental.”

It gave him a real boost to his already expanding ego. This was even further heightened as the crowd began chanting his stage name. Ashley-Louise Prime, 18, said “I love Wolfman!” and then also began chanting his name.

Other fans from Solent were there. HEAR ME ROAR: Wolfman at decks

Wolfman howling as he whips Pop into a frenzyDave Healey, 18, said: “Everyone was going a bit nuts. So far he was one of the best one’s [DJ’s] I’ve seen.”

Nik said within his interview that he had previously been a DJ for Brighton’s Honey club, where he was taught by professionals.

James ‘jd’ Dziewulski, 18, was Wolfman’s ‘partner in crime’ getting involved with the mixing and the live performance, he was also involved in the first and last track, providing Wolfman’s signature howl. When asked what he thought of it, JD replied: “It was a great mix and everyone loved it.”

JD’s favourite track was the finale

mix of ‘dynamite’ and Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing,’ which the crowd thought was equally as ‘epic.’

After his successful performance DJ Wolfman rewarded himself at the bar, which unfortunately was before we got the chance to interview him, leaving us with some outlandish quotes. “I think it went f****** brilliant… It took me six hours - two to mix it and about four hours to think why the f*** am I doing this.”

Wolfman’s performance gave such a stir that he was recommended one week later for ‘WTF’ (What’s Thursday’s For?) at Unit in St Mary’s Road.

By NATALIE DANIELS, NIKITA HALL and LAURA DRONFIELDAN eco-friendly event to encourage people to leave their cars at home and get on their bikes was held outside the Bargate Centre on October 26.

The How To Get There? fair, organised by Southampton City Council included more than 15 exhibitors showing the different methods in which residents can travel around the city in a bid to reduce the number of cars on the road.

Event organiser, Adam Tewkesbury, said: “The idea is to reduce the number of cars clogging up the streets. We want people to leave their cars at home.”

Representatives from local bus services, the City Car Club and the Three-River Rail partnership were at the event to explain the different ways to travel around Southampton and handed out bus timetables and bike cycle routes.

Blue Star bus driver, Michael Delvin said: “A lot of people don’t realise how affordable season bus tickets are. Instead of buying a season ticket,

customers generally buy a standard single or return, which, when totalled up is not as cost-effective as what a season ticket would be. There are also discounts offered for students ”

Southampton Solent University student Emma Hoare said: “I’ve had to sell my car because parking and petrol is so expensive. Now I know the bus companies offer student discount, I will look at buying a season ticket.”

One stall provided information on electric bikes while another offered free bike repairs for the

general public. Students are also being offered second-hand bikes at a cheap price under the University Bicycle Recycling scheme.

David Deane, School Travel PBN Officer, said: “ There are a lot of students in Southampton and when they leave university, they often leave their bikes here too.

“We can recycle them, get mechanics to check them over and make sure they are safe before we sell them on to new students at a cheap price encouraging them to ride rather than drive.”

Another stall had the latest electric car – the Nissan Leaf – on display.

Phil Potts from Westway Nissan said: “The Nissan Leaf is 99% recyclable including the battery.

A £5,000 government grant is offered when the car is bought as new, reducing the cost to £26,000.

“The ultra-aerodynamic design of the car helps to save energy and it promotes awareness of omission free transport.”

For more information on greener transport go to www.southampton.gov.uk/transportevents

ON YER BIKE!‘The idea is to

reduce the number of cars clogging up

the city’s streets’

Eco-fair urges city to adopt pedal power

Splash//07

Six and the cityBy NICOLE JACKSONHISTORY came to life for a junior school when its pupils joined the Mayor for the city’s 800-year-old Beating the Bounds tradition.

The 20 children from Mount Pleasant Junior School in Bevois were among hundreds who turned out to celebrate the annual event.

Beating the Bounds involves the Mayor and Sheriff of a town riding around its boundaries on horseback to check everything is in order.

Over the years towns and cities have dropped the tradition and Southampton is one of the few remaining places celebrating it.

Led by Councillor Derek Burke, the pupils journeyed from boundary stone to boundary stone. At each destination, they were encouraged to beat back some of the undergrowth with sticks to make the boundary clear, as has been done by the people of the city generations before.

Unlike hundreds of years ago, the Sheriff, now Mayor, Terence Matthews was driven around the city borders of Southampton and greeted with a cheer at each stop by crowds.

The route is changed most years, but every year sees the city’s archaic boundaries visited as well as the modern ones.

Councillor Burke described the event as a “fantastic experience for the children” and it seemed to provide them with a valuable educational experience of their home town’s heritage.

Pupils’ history lesson takes some beating

Victory aims for success after revamp

By EMMA DATSONSOME people may argue that “norms” change. The question is, should they? Britain has experienced a sizable increase in the number of Gentlemen’s Clubs, with more than 300 now open across the country.

The boom in the industry has meant that more Britons than ever before have experienced strip clubs. But it seems there is no longer a stigma concerning female customers at an all-female strip club. Some UK clubs have reported a 30 per cent rise in

As visitor numbers swell, have gents’ clubs been stripped of their stigma?

female clientele and Southampton’s For Your Eyes Only (winner of Best Club 2008) is no different. The club noticed an increased female interest and decided to become a venue for both stag and hen nights.

Furthermore, when local women was asked if they would visit the strip club, 75 per cent said “yes”.

“I think women go to strip clubs because they respect the women who go up there and dance every day, despite their own insecurities,” said Josh Clark-Ward, an eighteen

year old Solent student. Alex Thornborough, also a first-year, suggested it could be a “new revelation” that women can be open about their sexuality and encouraged to explore their curiosities.

Others argued the atmosphere of a strip club is less threatening to female customers than normal clubs and bars as the male attention is turned to the woman on stage.

According to rumours in the strip club industry, ladies-only nights will be the next big thing. SIGN: For Your Eyes Only

By SAM CLARKECHART-topping rockers You Me At Six brought their sell-out Sinners Never Sleep tour to Southampton Guildhall.

Kicking off the show were Lower Than Atlantis, a punk rock band who in the past year have shot to dazzling heights - something you pick up on as soon as they step on stage.

Their first song (Motor)Way Of Life opened up the first pit of the night, with fan favourites Taping Songs Off The Radio and High At Five being played throughout the set.

With Deadliest Catch closing their 20-minute setlist, the crowd erupted into a mass singalong, while Mike Duce and Co smiled with delight as they realised their dreams had come true. Next up, Deaf Havana

slowed the show down a pace with their acoustic, more emotional songs Nicotine and Alcohol Saved My Life and You Are Beautiful from their 2010 album Meet Me Half Way at Least.

The crowd seemed totally connected with the band. During the closing song, the audience seemed to become restless, as the anticipation for You Me At Six had gotten too much for them.

When Josh Franceshi casually walked on stage the screams and shouts of 1,700 fans echoed and deafened everyone around.

Opening song The Consequence let everyone there know they’re in for a treat. With a new album only just released and going to number one, Josh Franceshi doesn’t keep quiet about it as he yells at the crowd: “The

Guardian Published the other day that rock music is dead.” This draws the desired negative responses throughout the audience.

With the show coming to an end,

the energy and excitement does not die down. If anything, the crowd seem more energized, everyone seems to react after Josh orders everyone to go crazy and crowd surf despite the signs saying ‘no crowd surfing allowed’.

He yelled: “This is your last chance to do whatever it is you want to do, if you want to crowd surf, crowd surf, if you want to jump up and down and go crazy jump up and down, and if you want to sing at the top of your lungs, sing at the top of your lungs!”

The gig ends on a massive high with their popular single Underdog.

The fans seem to sing more than the band for this track, a chorus of screaming girls and guys.

You Me At Six made the city theirs - and they left it wanting more.

Fans at fever pitch as chart sensation and pals rock Guildhall

SENSATION: You Me At Six

By SOPHIE GHATREHTHE new Victory Centre on Portswood Road is settling into the community well and already has a variety of events planned for the rest of the year.

The centre was moved from North Baddesley in place of the Mecca Bingo Hall earlier this year and had a mixed reception from residents when plans were put forward.

It provides facilities such as a coffee shop, a childcare centre and healing rooms.

Events include The Source, a youth group featuring Christian topics running on the third Saturday of every month and is receiving a good turnout of 20 people each session.

Pastor Andrew White mentioned a gospel concert that was being being held to celebrate black history month, explaining how gospel music became relevant to British culture.

He said the concert would include “not just singing and talking, but humour as well”.

Hope, another group, is starting soon. The aim of it is to provide families and teenage mothers that are struggling for money with clothes and other supplies donated by others.

A regular Sunday service for the vast congregation, with more than 50 different nationalities, takes place at 10am, with crèche facilities available.

‘If you want to just jump up and down and go crazy,

then do it’

SportSplash SAINTS HAMMER HAMMERS

Solent outclassed by Winchester as they slump to first defeat of seasonFIRST BLOOD

By JACOB BENNETT and HANNAH GREENSAINTS have thrashed West Ham to stay top of the table, with a score of 1-0 set before half time. This saw Saints three points ahead of West Ham, their winning streak intact.

Not only have they won their last 17 home matches, but won against their rivals with a

record breaking 32,152 people in the crowd cheering them on. The St Mary’s crowd watched as Jos Hooiveld headed the ball in on the 45th minute.

Saints manager Nigel Adkins said: “I thought we played some good passing football in the first half and then when we had to defend in the second half we did it well.”

By MATT COTTONSOLENT tasted their first defeat of the season as they went down 7-19 to local rivals Winchester at Hardmoor.

Mike Hartley scored the home sides only try to level the game at 7-7 going into the break. But Winchester responded with two more tries in the second half to ensure that an injury-hit Solent lost their 100% record.

After a bright start from the hosts, it was the visitors who had the first chance and would’ve gone ahead had it not been for a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Tom Brind to deny the opposition flanker.

Solent responded with a flowing passing move in the 11th minute but missed the last pass as they reached the away side’s 22 metre line.

Coach Sheridan Eastdon was forced to make a change eight minutes later as Brind, who was struggling with an ankle injury, was replaced by Charlie Pattison. The first points came midway through

the first half as Winchester won the lineout, forcing the ruck to the goal line before James Durman forced a hand over to put the visitors ahead.

Rob Payne’s successful conversion ensured the away side stretched their lead to 0-7. This sparked an instant response from the home side as their pressure led to Alex Tindal offloading to Pattison but the latter was unable to control the pass.

A passionate half saw Eastdon with no choice but to make a second substitution as Joel Byford came on for the wounded Casim Ali.

Solent were rewarded for their hardwork just before the break as Matt Bennetts ploughed through nearly the entire opposition to the 22 metre line before releasing the ball to Byford whose smart pass allowed

Hartley to score for the hosts. Neil Spalding added from the kick to take the teams into halftime level at 7-7.

The second half was a tense affair with little separating the two sides and most of the game being played in the middle of the pitch.

Winchester came closest to scoring but tremendous strength and perfectly timed tackling from the home side was proving enough to hold off the visitors.

But then 10 minutes from time the away side broke downfield, holding off Solent challenges to force a ruck under the posts before Chris Scott emerged to score the visitors’s second try and extend their lead.

The hosts tried to force their way back into the game but Durman intercepted a pass to cruise to his second try with the last move of the game. Payne’s kick was good as the referee ended the game with Solent losing 7-19 to their fellow title challengers.

Solent University 7 University of Winchester 19

DEJECTED: Solent team

DOWN AND OUT: Solent are put under the cosh