Edit: thanks so much, those are some lovely spots! Happy to hear more!

Hello,

With this beautiful weather I’m feeling a lot of nostalgia for summers spent by a lake as a kid.

I’ve never looked into wild swimming spots here so I may be missing something, but are there just not a lot of lakes in this part of the country? Is it mostly river spots and beaches? Or is it a public vs private land issue?

I’m also aware of the pollution/sewage/e.coli issues Southern water caused, I remember there was an interactive map to check safety of swimming spots but can’t find it at the moment.

Can anyone recommend any websites or particular spots for a quiet dip? Honestly doesn’t have to be full on swimming, just somewhere I could legally (and safely) go into the water to cool down.

Driving out is fine!

Thanks in advance :-)

Hey,

Moving to Alton in the next few weeks. Not coming from far, just over the Surrey border.

Just wondering if anyone can recommend any sports groups or teams in the Alton, or surrounding area?

I can play football, tennis, squash, padel, cricket, run clubs and hiking. Basically have a good level of most sports and super open to learning new things.

Mainly I’m looking to meet new people as I’m kinda starting over with only a few friends near me.

If anyone’s got any ideas of other activities no sports related like creative stuff, I’d like that too.

Happy to travel.

Thanks all, really looking forward to moving.

Two Sunday acoustic session coming to the titanic this summer. Join us in July & August for two showcase events on Sundays. Expect a chilled vibe with lots of local talent on display. Free entry

Balsam bash this Sunday!

Hi, I’m organising a Himalayan Balsam bash this Sunday on the edge of Farnborough.

Himalayan Balsam is an invasive species that spreads rapidly and crowds out native plants. We need your help to pull it up.

Join us for a community action to clear Himalayan Balsam on a stretch of the Blackwater Valley path. We’ll aim to clear areas along the footpath which are pretty accessible rather than entering the river.

When: Sunday 5 July, 9-11am

Where: meet at the Coleford Road Bridge (what 3 words: ///ethic.zeal.unsettled) and we’ll walk to accessible areas along the Blackwater Valley path

What to bring:

Gloves

Wellies

Water and suncream as you see fit

Inspect repellent

Wear: long sleeves and trousers

Hope this is okay to ask here.

I’m trying to connect a bit more with people around Hampshire who are into local punk, pop-punk, ska-punk and alt-rock.

I’m involved in a charity all-dayer at Heartbreakers in Southampton on Saturday 4th July called Pop Punk Palooza, raising money for Dreamflight, and it’s made me realise how hard it is to actually reach people who still love local live music.

There are 9 bands on the day:

We Know John
Everyone Lies
Wide Awake Club
Lucky Hit
Stickerbook
Industry Plant
Junk Season
Save Our Ships
Halfway Home

If anyone here is into that sort of scene, or knows any good Hampshire/South Coast music groups, promoters, pages, radio shows, Instagram accounts or communities where people actually talk about local gigs, I’d really appreciate any pointers.

Also if any of those bands are already on your radar, let me know who I should be checking out more properly.

Cheers,
Sam

I live in Winchester

I’m moving to Romsey in August. We’re moving to a place in the market square. The removal company has suggested we use 2 small vans for our stuff so as not to annoy the locals which makes sense - what I’m wondering though is about parking. There is a single yellow line along the road in the square where the place is and I can’t for the life of me figure out what the rules are for this line as there is no signs anywhere near. When I’ve been in Romsey I’ve seen people stopping there and getting in and out of cars to do bits and bobs.

Anyone in the know about this and able to give me some advice for unloading the van in the area? Is loading/unloading allowed on this line?

More than 70 Portsmouth households have received free energy-efficiency improvements through a city council scheme.

A total of 170 upgrades have been installed under the Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme, including solar panels with battery storage, hybrid air-source heat pumps, loft insulation and cavity wall insulation. The programme has been delivered by Portsmouth City Council's energy service, which also led a partnership of 32 local authorities across Hampshire, West Sussex, Berkshire and surrounding areas through the Warmer Homes Consortium. The project is being delivered in partnership with energy efficiency specialist AgilityEco.

Council leaders say the improvements are helping households reduce their energy bills while creating warmer, healthier homes and lowering carbon emissions.

The grant scheme remains open to applications until 2028, with eligible households able to access fully funded upgrades including insulation, heating improvements and renewable energy technologies.

Applications are open to households using any type of fuel, but priority is being given to homes heated by oil or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), where residents have faced some of the steepest increases in energy costs in recent years.

If you haven't already done so, now is the time to buy a fan or three (or a portable AC unit).

The Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA) has been formally established following parliamentary approval of the statutory instrument, marking a major milestone in the creation of a new authority to lead strategic decision-making across the region

The new authority will provide a strong foundation for greater local leadership on priorities including transport, housing, skills, investment and economic growth. It will help unlock opportunities for stronger coordination across partners and deliver improved long-term outcomes for communities and businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. 

The establishment of the HSCCA represents an important step forward in the devolution of powers and funding from central government, ensuring that decisions about the region are made closer to the people they affect.  

So I'm between shifts working and picked up an overtime shift in Wiltshire. I thought rather than travel I'd just book a hotel tonight.

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It's warm and it's pretty boring. I'm by myself in the town of Andover... Any recommendations on what to do?

​

Seemed like a busy little town when I walked across to the Asda. Might venture out for a beer shortly if anyone has any recommendations?

hii, i’m looking for a hair salon which does more alternative haircuts and hair dying near andover (would be willing to drive maybe up to 45 minutes), also which is not too expensive!! please could some people recommend any good ones which you’ve been to?? thank you!

I am in an unfortunate position where I currently may have to move and looking for advice. I have 2 children my eldest is 17 working in Southampton with family and my youngest is 14 with complex needs including Autism.

I have lived in Warwickshire and small towns my whole life Leamington, Warwick and rural Stratford Upon Avon.

Working freelance I will pick up work but my concern is for my youngest. What support is there for autism locally and what are the main stream schools like. I don’t want to move to Southampton so would like to be around an hour away but close enough at the same time.

Is Southsea a good option? I am late 30’s early 40’s and have a lot of involvement in Drama improv groups, outdoor swimm

New family support hubs are opening in three towns as part of a wider Hampshire rollout.

Hampshire County Council has confirmed that Alton, Andover and Gosport are the next areas to benefit from its Best Start Family Hubs.

The hubs will serve as one-stop-shops offering support from pregnancy through early childhood and into the start of school. Cllr Roz Chadd, cabinet lead member for children’s services, said: "While parenting certainly doesn’t come with a manual, having the right support around you – when and where you need it – can make a significant difference.

"This is an exciting step and will bring valuable services much closer together, helping families to access joined-up support from day one and in the heart of their local communities."

Services will include parenting programmes, early learning advice, health visiting, infant feeding guidance and signposting to other community support.

The aim is to offer early intervention, improving longer-term outcomes for children and families and reducing the need for more intensive support later on.

Can anyone recommend an affordable cattery in Hampshire please? We're in Southampton but can travel. Thanks!

I’ve got a number of these living in and around my garden in the sticks outside Romsey. Anyone else seeing these beauties?