Weekly round-up: Five stories you may have missed

4 hours ago

The toilets have been spotted in locations such as Ventnor Park on the Isle of Wight

Sienna Anderson Desert imagery of cacti and Monument Valley-type cliffs adorns this loo, and the Isle of Wight coast is in the background. — The toilets have been spotted in locations such as Ventnor Park on the Isle of Wight

A story about decorated toilets in scenic locations was among our most read stories in the south this week.

We have picked five stories from the past seven days in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Berkshire and Oxfordshire to keep you up to date.

Aldermaston Manor joins endangered buildings list

Aldermaston Manor has been listed as one of ten Victorian buildings in need of protection

Trevor Bishenden Aldermaston Manor in Berkshire is a Grade II listed early Victorian building. It has red bricks and stone mullens round the windows and doors. — Aldermaston Manor has been listed as one of ten Victorian buildings in need of protection

A Victorian mansion with an "extraordinary" history that includes being involved in Britain's atomic research programme has been placed on a list of the county's most endangered buildings.

Aldermaston Manor, in Berkshire, also referred to historically as Aldermaston Court, has been added to the Victorian Society's list of 10 buildings in need of protection in the UK.

It said the history of the manor house's estate dates back to 1299, and most recently it was a hotel until the early 2010s.

Morgan Ellis Leah, from the society, said: "We can only preserve our historic buildings when we use them."

Paramedic in 'world first' highest lakes swim bid

George Bell-Starr believes he will be the first person to attempt the challenge

Sam Carden / Climb South West George Bell-Starr walking along a rural track, wearing an orange t-shirt and shorts, hiking boots, a hydration vest and black baseball cap. He's got a full dark beard and is carrying two Nordic poles in his left hand. — George Bell-Starr believes he will be the first person to attempt the challenge

A paramedic will attempt to swim 1,000m in each of the highest lakes in Scotland, England and Wales in under 30 hours.

George Bell-Starr, from Dorset, believes he will be the first person to attempt the feat, which will involve swimming in temperatures as low as 6C (43F) in the dark.

The majority of the challenge will be on foot, with more than a marathon's worth of hiking and 3,000m of elevation to reach the lakes.

Mr Bell-Starr is taking on the "tri-lake swim" to raise money for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA), Duckling Pre-School and Cancer Research UK.

Is 'Bogsy' behind island's mysterious toilets?

A closer look at the toilet in Ventnor Park reveals floral pattern in the bowl

Sienna Anderson A blue toilet patterned with colourful flowers. A bandstand is in the background. — A closer look at the toilet in Ventnor Park reveals floral pattern in the bowl

Decorated toilets are appearing at scenic locations across the Isle of Wight, and people are trying to get to the bottom of it.

The person behind the lavish-looking loos has been dubbed "Bogsy" by some on social media - in reference to mysterious street artist Banksy.

They have been spotted at sites including Brading Downs, Hale Common, and at Ventnor Park.

Some have notices that say: "Here for one day only - I'm just passing through like a number two."

The BBC is attempting to reach Bogsy for comment, but has nothing to go on.

'We have shared our home with strangers for 27 years'

Banbury-based Kym and Roger (sat in the centre) welcome people with additional needs, like Phil and Sarah, into their home

Four people sit around a dining table laden with biscuits and cups of tea. — Banbury-based Kym and Roger (sat in the centre) welcome people with additional needs, like Phil and Sarah, into their home

In the sunlit conservatory at the Garnetts' house, afternoon tea is in full flow.

The four residents are recounting the good times - a trip to London for ABBA Voyage, Sunday lunches at the rugby club, and mishaps while decorating the Christmas tree.

But this is not your standard family of four.

Over the last 27 years, Kym and Roger Garnett have welcomed 38 people into their quiet Banbury home under Oxfordshire County Council's Shared Lives scheme.

'We are saving historic roses from climate change'

Gardeners at Mottisfont Abbey say they are seeing one of the earliest flowering seasons

A close-up photo of a pink rose bush in full bloom in the sunshine with water droplets on it in sunshine. There are green leaves behind. — Gardeners at Mottisfont Abbey say they are seeing one of the earliest flowering seasons

"Every rose here oozes character," says senior gardener Michael Harvey as he guides me around the garden.

The sight and smell of hundreds of roses in bloom at the National Trust's Mottisfont Abbey near Romsey is spectacular.

The 1.5-acre (0.6 hectare) walled garden is home to the National Collection of Historic Roses.

Unlike modern, repeat flowering roses, most of the plants at Mottisfont flower just once a season.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.