First We Have No Hotels – Then Along Come Two At The Same Time


Havant Borough Council will decide next week whether BAE Systems can build a 60-bedroom hotel and restaurant, car showroom and drive-through on the site of redundant buildings at Brambles Farm industrial estate.

Janet Johnston, secretary of Waterlooville Business Association, said: ‘For years we have said Waterlooville needs a hotel.

It seems that Janet has forgotten about the Dunsbury Hill Farm development which also features a hotel and conference centre at its heart. Should both developments go ahead as the planners are hoping, Waterlooville will go from having no hotels, to having two.

Seems they come along like buses.

I’m still puzzled as to where all the business investment is coming from, where all the business demand for these hotels is being generated.

Janet goes on to say

‘There are times when we have had events on and people have to find somewhere to stay. There are bed and breakfasts but not somewhere businessmen can stay easily. I’ve seen the plans and they are very good.’

Good they may be but if we don’t attract new businesses to the Waterlooville area and generate news jobs then nobody will be making use of all those extra beds.

Redundant buildings may boost business if Waterlooville hotel plan is agreed – Local Business – Portsmouth News.

The World of F1 Bids Farewell To The “Prof”


On September 12th, at the age of 84, Sid Watkins, the world-renowned neurosurgeon has died after suffering a heart attack.

The world of motor sport and in particular  Formula One bids farewell to the former medical delegate.

Watkins was the on-track surgeon for 26 years from 1978 through to 2004, with his crusade to improve medical facilities in Formula One helping to dramatically cut the number of deaths and serious injuries in the sport
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-2202554/Sid-Watkins-dies-tributes-pour-F1-surgeon.html#ixzz26MdVppLI

Following Watkins retirement Max Mosley said

Professor Watkins has made a unique contribution to improving the standards of safety and medical intervention throughout motor sport.

Many drivers probably owe their lives to the Prof, both to his efforts as a first responder on the circuits and to the improvements that he instigated. Amongst those he helped to save are Gerhard Berger, Martin Donnelly, Érik Comas, Mika Häkkinen, Rubens Barrichello and Karl Wendlinger.

Watkins was married with six children and my thoughts are with his family.

Ebony Buckle – Beautiful Voice


I may be out of touch with the charts when it comes to the popular rappy crappy music that fills the airwaves but I do know a great voice when I hear it.

The other night I was watching the latest George Gently episode which was filled with some really nice music fronted by the voice of Ebony Buckle. This lady is a real talent.  Take a listen to Silver Dagger which was featured in the show.

South Parade Pier At Risk


South Parade Pier’s owners face liquidation over unpaid energy bills. The danger is if the owners of the pier have to close it down due to lack of income then the real rot will set in. All the while the pier is in active use there is a chance for it to be maintained and refurbished. As soon as the usage declines then so does the state of repair.

Everyone knows that these structures are expensive to maintain due to the harsh, salty and damp environment that they are in. There must be an argument for Portsmouth City Council or even Hampshire County Council stepping in and providing some degree of subsidy to ensure that South Parade Pier doesn’t go the way of Hastings and Brighton piers.

Seaside piers are part of our heritage. Many have succumbed to extreme weather, arsonists and old age. We almost lost South Parade Pier a few years ago, no thanks to Ken Russel and his crew who were filming Tommy at the time. We don’t want that to happen again.

Its time for local government or even national government to step in.

South Parade Pier’s owners face liquidation over unpaid energy bills – Local Business – Portsmouth News.

Curzon Rooms Fire – It Was Only A Matter Of Time


Once again, and the second time in less than a month, The Curzon Rooms in Waterlooville have been the target of arsonists.

The Curzon Rooms building has been an eyesore for many years, slowly decomposing, while the owners and Havant Borough Council have played pat-a-cake around the planning regs. The generally poor condition of the building has not been a welcoming site for potential businesses who may have been tempted to come to Waterlooville.

Havant Borough Council have not made life easy for the owners of the Curzon Rooms otherwise the site would have been redeveloped many years ago. In the meantime Waterlooville Town Centre has slowly gone down hill while the council focus on creating a “retail park” style shopping centre on the west side of the town.

So what was already an eyesore has now become even more of one. It is time for HBC to get the building forcibly demolished.

Curzon Rooms fire, Waterlooville. Picture Malcolm Wells
Curzon Rooms fire, Waterlooville. Picture Malcolm Wells

Police probing ‘suspicious’ derelict Waterlooville building blaze hunt youths – Local – Portsmouth News.

Rough seas and tide put an end to plucky lady’s dream


Chris Pitman is one plucky lady. She attempted one of the most arduous challenges for anyone let alone a 61 year old.

But it wasn’t to be. Weather and tides conspired against her and she had to give up just 5 miles from the French coast.

Chris should be really proud of her acheivement and the money that she has raised for charity.

Rough seas and tide put an end to dream of Channel record – News – Portsmouth News.

Good Luck Chris


Yes, good luck to 61 year old Chris Pitman who is attempting to become the oldest British woman to swim across the English Channel.

Chris, from Bedhampton, started her attempt earlier this morning at around 03:15. Leaving from Dover she expects the crossing to take between 15 and 18 hours.

I wish her the best of luck.

Chris starts her swim across the Channel – News – Portsmouth News.

Go Team GB


Well done to Stef Reid and Sophie Kamlish who both achieved personal best in the T44 200m final.

Watching Ola Abidogun receive his Bronze for the T46 100m.

Waiting for David Weir &  Johnny Peacock.

Winning By A Mile


Omara Durand took gold in the Womens T13 100m final. Such a smooth runner and left the rest of the field for dust.