Weekly round-up: Five stories you may have missed

The Red Arrows performed a fly-past to close the D-Day 80 event in Southsea

Getty Images Red arrows flying over the stage of the D-Day 80 event in Southsea they are being watched by a veteran — The Red Arrows performed a fly-past to close the D-Day 80 event in Southsea

Events commemorating D-Day in the south were among our most read stories this week in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Solent and South Today.

We have picked five of them to keep you up to date.

Exbury House Wrens sculpture unveiled

Women currently serving in the Royal Navy waved white handkerchiefs during the sculpture unveiling

A group of six white women - five of which are wearing Royal Navy uniform, smile looking away from the camera and hold white handkerchiefs — Women currently serving in the Royal Navy waved white handkerchiefs during the sculpture unveiling

A sculpture honouring the role women played in the preparations for D-Day has been unveiled.

The piece, called The Lady of the South, has been revealed on the Exbury Estate in the New Forest, Hampshire, ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Much of the planning and preparations for the landings in Normandy, known as Operation Overlord, happened at Exbury House and on the Beaulieu River.

Exbury House was requisitioned by the Royal Navy in 1942 and known as HMS Mastodon during the war, with more than 100 Wrens, the Women's Royal Naval Service, based there.

Storm-damaged beach huts to be removed

The huts, along the eastern section at Hordle Cliff, have been badly damaged following a number of storms

New Forest District Council Looking up from the beach at the huts coloured from left to right... blue, turquoise, orange, white, yellow and salmon pink — The huts, along the eastern section at Hordle Cliff, have been badly damaged following a number of storms

Beach huts battered by storms left teetering on the edge of a ledge are to be removed.

The 31 huts at Hordle Cliff, Milford on Sea are on plots that are no longer viable because they have washed away or have vastly eroded.

Work to remove the huts is due to start on 10 June with the work to be finished before the end of June.

D-Day 80 anniversary event at Southsea

Some Normandy veterans were able to attend for the day of reflection and remembrance, which was hosted by the Ministry of Defence

PA A Normandy veteran sat in a wheelchair attending the UK's national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day — Some Normandy veterans were able to attend for the day of reflection and remembrance, which was hosted by the Ministry of Defence

A national event took place in a city to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Hundreds of people gathered on Southsea Common in Portsmouth, Hampshire, to mark the occasion.

The city played a vital role in preparing for the invasion of the beaches of northern France in 1944, which became a turning point in the Second World War.

Veterans, Royals and politicians were among the guests at the commemorations hosted by the Ministry of Defence.

Uni staff strike over 'brutal job cuts' - union

Staff walked out at the University of Winchester on Tuesday morning

Striking staff at the University of Winchester — Staff walked out at the University of Winchester on Tuesday morning

University staff went on strike over "brutal job cuts", a union has said.

Staff at the University of Winchester, who are members of the University and College Union (UCU), started their walkout on Tuesday morning.

The UCU confirmed they would also begin action short of a strike on Wednesday, including working to rule and refusing to cover for absent colleagues.

The University of Winchester said it was having to take action so it could continue to "deliver transformational education in Winchester and Hampshire".

Derelict ponds restored to life after funding boost

Dew ponds provide a space for wildlife to thrive

Photograph of a dragonfly at Magdalen Hill Down in Winchester — Dew ponds provide a space for wildlife to thrive

Once derelict dew ponds across the South Downs National Park are now thriving thanks to more than £90,000 in donations.

Eight ponds across the park in Hampshire and Sussex have been restored and work will begin soon on two more near Emsworth.

A watering hole at Magdalen Hill Down in Winchester is one of those to have had a makeover thanks to a grant of £13,000 given to UK charity Butterfly Conservation.

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