Skip to content

Hampshire and Isle of Wight weekly round-up: 25 December - 30 December 2023

BBC Frank ProctorBBC
Frank Proctor, 101, was carried down the stairs in his wheelchair on Boxing Day so that he could join family and friends

A story about a broken lift that left pensioners stuck over Christmas is among our most read 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 stories to keep you up to date.

BBC Presentational grey line

Formula 1 legend's daughter opens up about homelessness

Christianne Ireland Innes and Christianne IrelandChristianne Ireland
Christianne's father - Innes Ireland - won the Grand Prix when she was three years old in 1961

The daughter of a Formula 1 legend has described how she went from jet setting to homelessness before turning her life around.

Christianne Ireland grew up following her father Innes Ireland around race tracks, spending her days with champions like Stirling Moss and Graham Hill.

In 2016 she found herself homeless and addicted to alcohol - but said volunteering at a small allotment saved her life.

BBC Presentational grey line

Police dog saves man's life in New Forest

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary Moxie, a Police DogHampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
German Sheppard Moxie joined Hampshire Constabulary in October

A police dog has been praised for saving a man's life during her first month on duty.

German shepherd Moxie joined Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary as a general purpose dog in October.

Within weeks on the job she tracked down a man who had left his home with the intention of ending his own life in the New Forest, the force said.

BBC Presentational grey line

Broken lift leaves residents stuck over Christmas

BBC Janet HortonBBC
Janet Horton, 91, has struggled to get down the stairs while the lift is out of action

Residents in a retirement block were stuck inside over Christmas after the only lift in their building broke down.

It meant many of those with mobility problems at Linden Court on Wessex Road, Southampton, had to change their festive plans.

Housing association Saxon Weald Homes wrote to residents to say the lift would be prioritised in January.

BBC Presentational grey line

Cruise ship sinking 'clear as day' 60 years on

John Ware (Left to right) John Ware, an unknown local man, fellow Royal Marine musician Rodney Preston and a second unknown local man pictured in Dar-es-Salam, Tanganyika in early 1964John Ware
Mr Ware (left) pictured with his fellow HMS Centaur Royal Marine musician Rodney Preston (third) and two unknown local men in Dar-es-Salam, Tanganyika, in early 1964

A former Royal Marine musician involved in the rescue effort of one of the worst UK cruise ship disasters has said it is "still as clear as day" 60 years on.

The TSMS Lakonia caught fire on its way from Southampton to Madeira on 22 December 1963, claiming the lives of 128 people.

John Ware, then aged 19, was on board aircraft carrier HMS Centaur as it steamed towards the stricken vessel.

BBC Presentational grey line

BBC presenter takes part in panto

Complete with his sparkly costume David Allard joined the cast on stage for a dance routine

Pantomimes with big names, splashy costumes, and a welcome dose of family fun have been packing the stalls over Christmas.

And audiences have been flocking to Southampton's Mayflower Theatre for this year's festive offering - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, starring Christopher Biggins and Diversity.

BBC South Today presenter David Allard went along along to immerse himself in the world of panto for the day.

BBC Presentational grey line

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].