Weekly round-up: Five stories you may have missed

Pupils reportedly began to sob as Rev Dr Paul Chamberlain made comments about Father Christmas

Getty Images Sad, frustrated little girl in Christmas outfit and Santa hat — Pupils reportedly began to sob as Rev Dr Paul Chamberlain made comments about Father Christmas

A story about a vicar telling a group of schoolchildren that Father Christmas was not real 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.

Medieval origins of Oxford college unearthed

The remains of a roasting hearth from the college's original kitchen was one of the features unearthed by archaeologists

Oxford Archaeology An archaeologist's close up photo of a medieval hearth. A lighter stone structure is pictured in between darker earth, forming part of a dig at Oriel College in Oxford. — The remains of a roasting hearth from the college's original kitchen was one of the features unearthed by archaeologists

Medieval features of an Oxford college, including its original kitchen, have been unearthed during renovation works.

Archaeologists at the site said the medieval layout of Oriel College, which was founded in 1326, could now be better understood.

The dig is taking place alongside work by the college to rebuild its kitchen and bar area.

The remains of a stone wall were also discovered, which archaeologists said was probably a former boundary on the edge of land previously owned by the college.

Pupils 'sob' as vicar discusses existence of Santa

The vicar gave a talk on Father Christmas during a religious education lesson

Getty Images Stock image of a man dressed as Santa Claus with his arms held up in a questioning pose — The vicar gave a talk on Father Christmas during a religious education lesson

A vicar has been forced to apologise after telling a group of schoolchildren aged 10 and 11 that Father Christmas was not real.

Pupils reportedly began to sob as Rev Dr Paul Chamberlain made comments during a Religious Education lesson at Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School in Hampshire.

One parent described his talk as "absolutely disgusting", while another said her daughter thought the vicar was mistaken and had "lost the plot", The Times reported.

The Anglican Diocese of Portsmouth said Rev Chamberlain accepted it was an "error of judgement".

Tidal power plan nearly at an end, councillors say

PTEC planned to lease out space for underwater turbines

Getty Images A stock image of an array of turbines standing on the sea bed — PTEC planned to lease out space for underwater turbines

A controversial tidal energy plan appears to be close to coming to an end after its planning permission expired, councillors have said.

Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre (PTEC) had proposed an array of underwater turbines supplying enough power for a third of the homes on the Isle of Wight.

The island council, which has an outstanding £1m loan to the firm, said Monday was the deadline for starting shore works within three years of planning permission being granted.

PTEC has not yet provided any comment to the BBC.

'Abandoned' adoptive parents call for more support

Zobia Kalim adopted her daughter Mariam 16 years ago, but said afterwards she felt "abandoned"

Zobia Kalim Mariam Kalim has a nose piercing and wearing a black top and is standing next to her mother Zobia Kalim who is wearing a grey cardigan — Zobia Kalim adopted her daughter Mariam 16 years ago, but said afterwards she felt "abandoned"

There have been calls for more post-adoption support for parents in Berkshire.

Zobia Kalim adopted her daughter 16 years ago, but said afterwards she was left feeling "abandoned".

This led her to working with Berkshire-based charity Parenting Special Children to provide support for other adoptive parents.

Regional adoption agency Adopt Thames Valley said it encouraged parents having difficulties to contact it, so it could improve the help it provides.

Bowling alley to be demolished in £250k plan

Dorset councillors voted to knock the building down and create a temporary car park

Dorset Council A general view of the outside of the bowling alley, which is evidently worn and has moss or some sort of growth at the top edge of the building — Dorset councillors voted to knock the building down and create a temporary car park

A council wants a contractor to knock down a former bowling alley in a seaside town as it looks to revamp the area.

Dorset Council is willing to pay a firm up to £250,000 to demolish the MFA Bowl in St Nicholas Street, Weymouth, which has been vacant since April 2019.

Councillors agreed to get rid of the 18-lane facility in April.

The authority will level the site and use it as a temporary 149-space car park while development plans are finalised.

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