Friends of St Giles Hill Graveyard

14/10/2026

13/10/2026

13/10/2026

This is a map of the areas in Hatch Warren that volunteers have been improving for nature or would like to work on.

12/10/2026

Looking for a way to get outdoors this autumn and help local wildlife?

Together with Natural Basingstoke, we’ve set up the new Daneshill Park Woodlands Conservation Group to help care for the local nature reserve in Lychpit – and we’d love even more volunteers to join in for its next session this Saturday (17 October) from 10am to 12 noon at what 3 words location: helps.beyond.dined

From caring for woodland habitats and the orchard to helping wildlife thrive, there's plenty to get involved with. No experience is needed and all ages are welcome.

You can join in as often as you like, whether that's every month or just when you have a free morning.

Email our rangers to find out more: [email protected]

12/10/2026

One of Britain’s rarest grasshoppers is making an incredible comeback in Norfolk, after disappearing from the area for decades 🇬🇧

The large marsh grasshopper had been absent from the Norfolk Broads since 1939, But thanks to an ambitious conservation project, these remarkable insects are now being given a second chance 👏🏻

Thousands have been bred and released into suitable wetland habitats, with conservationists and volunteers working together to bring the species back

The grasshoppers have now successfully hatched in the wild for the first time in more than 85 years 🎉

This is a huge milestone because it means they’re not just surviving after being released, they’re reproducing naturally in their restored habitat 🍃

Wetland loss had caused these grasshoppers to disappear from much of their former range, but this project shows how targeted conservation work can help Britain’s wildlife recover

Mad

11/10/2026

Together, we’re bringing elm back to Hampshire.

Over 5,000 disease-resistant elm trees have now been planted across Hampshire. But this isn’t just our achievement. It belongs to the hundreds of people who have helped make it happen.

From individuals and families to schools, community groups, farmers and landowners, people across the county have played their part.

Between us all, we’re helping to restore a tree that was once such a familiar part of Hampshire’s landscape — and giving future generations the chance to enjoy it again.

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

Dawn is our Anti–Social Behaviour (ASB) Patrol Officer, and she will be out and about this month - please pop along to meet her if you'd like to chat through any concerns you may have.

You can also contact our Community Safety team to raise any issues: https://www.winchester.gov.uk/community-safety-and-neighbourhood-services/anti-social-behaviour

👉 Mon 20 Oct, 10am-12.30pm - joint patrol with a Wi******er Police PCSO in the city centre and surrounding wards

👉 Fri 23 Oct, 2pm - 4.30pm - joint patrol with a PCSO in

👉 Weds 28 Oct - . Street briefing with young people until 6pm, then at the local pumpkin carving event until 8pm

👉 Fri 30 Oct - attending a Youth Options football event to engage with young people.

09/10/2026

Portsmouth councillors are being asked to consider awarding a civic honour to the RNLI amid concerns over abuse directed at lifeboat volunteers.

A notice of motion due to be debated next week calls for the city council to support the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and consider granting the Freedom of the City to Portsmouth Lifeboat Station.

The motion, tabled by councillors Gerald Vernon-Jackson and Billy Ansell, says Portsmouth’s relationship with the sea is a “proud one” but “we also know its dangers and the courage of those who go to the aid of others when they are in distress”.

For 200 years, the independent charity has been “supported by the generosity of the public and by thousands of volunteers who give their time to protect others”.

“At the heart of that service is a simple and enduring principle: when somebody is in danger at sea, you go to their aid.”

It argues that principle “does not depend upon nationality, background, immigration status, beliefs or the circumstances in which somebody came to be in danger”.

Following recent migrant boat arrivals, which saw lifeboats transport asylum seekers ashore at Eastney and Gosport, RNLI volunteers have faced threats, intimidation and abuse, leading to the temporary closure of a lifeboat station in Portsmouth.

The motion also condemns hostility directed at lifeboat crews, including the description of the RNLI as a “taxi service” for migrants.

The motion will ask all councillors to express its “unequivocal support” for the charity and reaffirm the principle that everyone in distress at sea “should be rescued without distinction or discrimination”.

It also asks the council to condemn hostilities and consider awarding the Portsmouth lifeboat station the freedom of the city through the council’s usual process.

A Freedom of the City award is an honour given by a council to recognise outstanding contributions to the city.

✍Original copy by Toby Paine, Local Democracy Reporter