He wowed the judges of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent with a magic show like no other, and is now a household name, enjoying sell-out shows across the UK. But Ben Hart says it’s in Winchester that he’s most looking forward to performing this Spring, with his one-man show gracing the stage in his home city, at Theatre Royal.
You’ve probably seen artist Don Lavelle painting life on High Street, in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral or in a tucked-away corner of the city. That’s because he spends six days a week in Winchester, working in all weathers, and has done for many years, always finding something new to capture on canvas.
“Before I retired I was a chemist,” he says, “and that scientific part of me lends itself well to making sure the paintings are spot-on architecturally and that everything is in proportion. But it’s always the people in them that bring them to life. I regularly ask someone interesting-looking to pose for me for a few minutes so I can add them in.”
In 2002 Theo Mezger immersed himself in an unusual retirement project: creating the finest ice cream using local ingredients, which he lovingly named after his wife.
What started as a hobby in his home just outside Winchester impressed family and friends so much that he began to supply local pubs, starting with The Chestnut Horse.
Word spread and Jude’s won the first of many Great Taste Awards for its vanilla ice cream.
Winchester gentlemen can shop for stylish British-designed accessories at Liz & Fitz on Parchment Street.
Founded by Liz Raffles, Liz & Fitz has a fantastic range, including well-priced Knomo leather messenger bags, briefcases and organisers, Alice Made This cufflinks, British Boxers underwear and nightwear, Beaumont & James umbrellas and gentlemen’s grooming products from London Beard Company
The stylish independent boutique is also now offering clothes and accessories for ladies too.
Tel. 01962 867777. www.lizandfitz.com.
Meet Simon Claridge from Claridge Fine Art on Southgate Street, whose dazzling diamond-dust art works have been snapped up by celebrities the world over.
They’re the sort of thing you can easily imagine hanging in a celebrity pad (Rod Stewart, Claudia Schiffer and Nick Faldo all have ‘a Claridge’). But they’re brilliantly executed too, and would be equally at home on a Winchester wall.
Julian Eardley knew he wanted to be an actor as soon as he was old enough to climb onto a stage. As Theatre Royal Winchester’s ongoing pantomime dame he has performed in more silly frocks than he can remember, and this year takes to the stage once more as Dame Dottie in Beauty and the Beast.
“Playing a dame is rather like taking on the maternal role in a pantomime but with a good measure of feisty comedy thrown in,” he says. “Because there is so much audience participation, every show is different and that adds to the fun of it. You just never know what might happen on stage.”