South Live: Wednesday 1 August

1. Updates from Wednesday 1 August

Countryfile Live taking place at Blenheim Palace

BBC Countryfile Live is under way at Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, and it looks like the sun and the crowds are out, including several of the presenters of the much-loved show.

Countryfile has been on air every week since 1988, making this its 30th anniversary.

Talks on guard rail strikes break down

Safety fears cancel motorbike fundraising event

A motorbike fundraising event organised by Hampshire and Isle of White Air Ambulance has been cancelled over safety concerns.

The Hampshire Ride4Life was due to take place on 16 September at Thruxton Circuit, in Andover.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance

In a statement oraganisers said: "In light of a recent incident at a neighbouring air ambulance event, we felt it correct and proper to reassess the safety precautions of our proposed route.

"We have taken further advice from experts who have many years of experience in the field of motorcycle ride-outs and we felt more time to assess the route would be necessary to ensure the safety of our riders."

It added that all those who bought tickets will be given refunds.

Social housing in 'crisis' in south

By Matt Graveling

BBC News

Travel update: Broken-down train causing delays

BBC News Travel

A broken-down train at Havant is causing delays for Southern services between Chichester and Portsmouth Harbour, as well as Chichester and Southampton Central.

Berkshire man is garden photography competition finalist

Nigel Burkitt, from Berkshire, was a finalist in the The Macro Art Photo Project, which specialises in close-up creative images, with an image of a common-spotted orchid.

He said: "I love finding native orchids; it's a real joy to see them. This backlit Dactylorhiza fuchsii looked so vibrant, shimmering like a jewel."

Nigel Burkitt

Art on listed tattoo shop gets reprieve

Pink police cell: Your comments on Facebook

TVP

It is hoped the pastel colour will have a "calming effect"

Thames Valley Police has painted one of its Abingdon cells pink to make it less threatening for any children who have to use it.

On our Facebook page, Darren Ball said: "Typical UK soften everything up, why would you want a police cell to be 'less threatening'."

Agreeing with him Kimberley Gann said: "Exactly what he said!.. next you’ll be putting TVs and radios and other luxury stuff in them to make it more comfortable for them so they aren’t bored..."

But S W Dunlevy disagreed, and said: "Innocent people can find themselves in a police cell... For kids and those suffering from mental illness, it DOES result in harm."

And Bill Ogorzalek said the idea pink rooms are calming "is believed to stem from the concept that when a fetus was developing in its mother’s womb, it was the most secure and peaceful time of its existence".

Second man charged over Bournemouth stabbing

A second man has been charged in connection with a stabbing in Boscombe and is due to appear at court today.

A man was found with stab wounds at 22:30 on Friday in Christchurch Road, near the junction with Gloucester Road.

He reported being attacked by two men who were known to him in a nearby alleyway, which leads to Corpus Christi Church.

His injuries were not life threatening and he has since left hospital. A 31-year-old Bournemouth man appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with wounding with intent and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. A second man, aged 27 and from Bournemouth, has also now been arrested and charged with wounding with intent.

Traffic expected as Bestival gets under way

Burnt-out Land Rover found in Tadley field

Supermarket next to cinema banned from selling popcorn

Google

The Morrison's is next to a Cineworld in Aldershot

A supermarket next to a cinema in Aldershot is banned from selling popcorn.

Morrisons has confirmed it is unable to stock the snack because of a term in its lease.

The store is a tenant at WestGate Leisure Park, next to a seven-screen Cineworld.

It says customers are welcome to bring their own cold food and non-alcoholic drinks into the cinema.

At Cineworld, we don't discuss our contracts with our landlords publicly. We can say that we know how important our customers' favourite cinema treats are to their movie-going experience, so we offer a great range of good value discounts and combo deals on our food and drink. Customers are also welcome to bring cold food and non-alcoholic drinks with them to the cinema.

A Cineworld spokesman

South cities 'losing social housing stock'

Cities in the South are losing their social housing stock up to four times faster than it is being replaced, new figures have shown.

The statistics show Southampton and Portsmouth are currently losing homes at the fastest rate.

Despite generating money through sales via the Right to Buy Scheme, council leaders say central government is making it too hard to reinvest in new properties.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it has already invested £9bn in affordable homes and has enabled councils to borrow an extra £1bn to build more social housing.

Unfortunately [Right to Buy] has been running down the existing stock of social housing at a time when we are building very little of it, and there’s 1.2 million households desperately waiting for a social home.

Toby LloydHead of housing development at Shelter.southmpton

New appeal over Bournemouth 'hit-and-run'

Google

The crash happened in Richmond Park Road in Bournemouth

A renewed appeal has been made by Dorset Police after a man was seriously injured in a suspected hit-and-run crash in Bournemouth yesterday.

A pedestrian was taken to Southampton General Hospital with serious leg and head injuries after being hit by a car in Richmond Park Road shortly after 00:15. Police said he remains in a serious condition.

A 20-year-old man from Bournemouth came forward and was arrested on suspicion of driving offences. He has now been released under investigation.

Sergeant Craig Tatton, said: “I would like to renew our appeal for any witnesses to the collision, or the behaviour of the pedestrian or vehicle involved prior to it, to come forward."

Oxford Mail: New station plans unveiled

Oxford Mail

Today's Oxford Mail front page

Jewellery shop staff threatened with knife and hammer

Google

Three men armed with a knife and a hammer threatened staff and stole jewellery during a robbery in Henley-on-Thames.

Police were called to the Anthony Paul jewellery shop in Bell Street at about 10:30 yesterday.

The men entered the shop, threatened staff and smashed the display area, stealing various items of jewellery. No-one was injured.

The men, aged between 20 and 30, were wearing dark clothing, had their faces covered, were of an athletic build and were around 6ft. All three were carrying bags.

They left in a silver car, which is believed to be an Audi.

South Live: Thursday 2 August

'He's my brother and I love him'