Recent events

Tour of Winchester Cathedral Tower on Saturday, February 18th 2012

48 intrepid people braved the cold and wind and joined a Winchester Cathedral Tower tour.  More than £700 was raised for SWVG. Each tour lasted over 90 minutes and was led by an experienced and knowledgeable guide. Participants climbed the tower to see spectacular views of Winchester, observed the mighty bells hanging in their great oak frames and walked along the vast nave roof to admire the fantastic craftsmanship. After their tour they went to the beautiful and ancient Cathedral Undercroft where a very welcome  bowl of homemade soup awaited them!.

The exhibition "This is My Home Now" in the Discovery Centre was launched on Friday 13th January.  Over 50 people were there to view the photographs and artefacts. The exhibition forms part of an oral history project about people who have sought refuge from conflict or persecution in their homeland and who now live in the Southampton area.

Hot from the Cheltenham Literary Festival, CELIA IMRIE, much admired actress, famous for her roles in Acorn Antiques, Dinnerladies and Calendar Girls came to the QE2 Theatre at Winchester College on November 27, in  a fund raising event for SWVG.

In conversation with fellow actress/author, Fidelis Morgan, she treated us to tales of her adventures, both on stage and off, as recounted in her memoir, The Happy Hoofer. Clips from her favourite films were shown.  Celia stayed after her performance and signed copies of her book, which were sold by Wells Books of Winchester who generously gave a large discount to SWVG.  In all over £2000 was raised.

Our very grateful thanks to Celia and her fellow performer Fidelis Morgan, to the college, to Miff Kayum for his sponsorship.  Celia is now starring in the acclaimed ‘Noises Off’ at the Old Vic.

A Night of Thai Cuisine raises Funds – June 2011

Thanks to Miff Khayum, proprietor of Winchester’s Bankok Brasserie, SWVG raised over £1700. The picture shows Miff handing over a cheque for £1000 which he has collected from sales of a special dish, The Colin Firth Chicken and Mango curry. For every dish sold, the restaurant has donated 85p to SWVG. Accepting the cheque on behalf of SWVG is Shirley Firth, Colin’s mother and a founder member of the charity.

Over 50 members and supporters of SWVG attended the dinner which raised a further £700.

Our heartfelt thanks to Miff and his team for their hard work and generosity; they are true friends to SWVG.

An interesting Concert of 19th century French music by the Staff of Winchester College on June 9th 2011 in the Music School.

Nao Dickson and Charlotte Ford began the concert with a delightful performance of Ravel’s “Mother Goose suite” for Piano Duet.  This is based on Charles Perrault’s 17th century French collection of fairy stories and celebrates the innocence of childhood.  The duet led us with great sensitivity through Sleeping Beauty, conversations between Beauty and the Beast and The Enchanted Garden displaying a great variety of musical moods.

Nicholas Salwey and John Kane gave a sparkling performance of a Violin sonata in G major by Guillaume LekNao Dickson and Charlotte Ford began the concert with a delightful performance of Reu, a composer seldom heard as he died tragically young of typhoid when he was only 24.  This was followed by a trio by Poulenc for Oboe (Martin Packman), Bassoon (Anna Meadows) and again Nicholas Salwey on the piano………..Poulenc at his very best.

The evening finished with a rousing performance of Espana, a composition well known to all, generally played by an orchestra but on this occasion played by Samantha Carrasco, Nao Dickson, Charlotte Ford and Stephen Robbings as a 4 handed piano piece on 2 grand pianos.  The concentration by the 4 pianists to maintain the energetic rhythms in perfect time was breath taking to watch.   Chabrier proclaimed on returning to Paris from Spain that he wanted to write a Spanish-themed piece that would cause the audience to “leap up and embrace each other” and the excitement of the dance rhythms and general exuberance of the music certainly succeeded in inspiring just that feeling.  

Cathy Townsend provided delicious drinks and snacks afterwards in her beautiful garden and nobody’s spirits were dampened by the slightly chilly evening air.  Very generous donations to SWVG amounted to £533.

AVID Director speaks at SWVG Meeting

Ali McGinley joined us for the April 4th General Meeting. AVID – the Association of Visitors to Immigration Detainees - is the umbrella organisation for around twenty Visitor Groups in Britain. Ali outlined the work of AVID and answered many questions.

Although they have committed no crime Britain detains in prison conditions.  more asylum seekers than most other countries in Europe. The number of detainees has risen from around 300 in 1993 to over 3000 in 2010, a tenfold rise. It appears that this increased use of detention is part of asylum policy. Only around 10% of detainees are able to get bail. The cost of detention at £120 per person day or around £150m in total for a year, is very high.

For more information see www.aviddetention.org.uk which includes a message from Colin Firth who is Patron of AVID.

Medical Justice – Network of Doctors concerned with Detention and Removals

The General Meeting on 4 April also included a screening of the film ‘Fit to Fly’ on the work of Medical Justice. Members of this organization provide medical evidence for asylum claims, especially evidence of torture, and cases of abuse and medical neglect in detention centres. For more information see www.medicaljustice.org.uk from where you can download the 10 minute film.

Charity Concert in Wolvesey Chapel.

On March 16th the Clifton Singers under their Director Kate Morgan presented an excellent evening to a full and appreciative audience. There was a wide-ranging programme of mostly vocal music with flute playing from Ellie Nugent and June Gross. Accompanists were Gilly Slot and Ewan Davidson. Clifton Singers are a group of solo and ensemble who come together for all kinds of music making but especially charity concerts.

The evening began with a sincere and moving performance of Pergolesi’s masterpiece the Stabat Mater, expressing the sufferings and anguish of the Virgin at the foot of the Cross.  On this evening the performance was especially dedicated to the victims of the ongoing catastrophe in Japan.

The second part of the programme comprised of splendidly varied vocal solos, duets and trios ranging from traditional folk songs through to 20C works by Finzi, and also Prokofiev’s Flute Sonata.

Bishop Michael Scott-Joynt, patron of Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group, gave an introduction on issues for refugees and asylum seekers and in particular the supportive work done by SWVG. Thanks were given for the welcome given by Bishop Michael and Lou his wife and for the use of the beautiful Chapel within the Bishop’s Palace. They will be much missed as they depart soon, although Bishop Michael is continuing as a patron of SWVG.

Members of SWVG served refreshments in the Dining Room where plenty of information was available about their work. The concert is expected to raise around £1000 for SWVG. Many thanks go to Kate Morgan and her singers and musicians for their generous contribution of time and musical excellence.


New Year Party
SWVG members prepared a superb lunch to share with clients celebrating the start of 2011.



A Stroll through the Axis of Evil -a talk by the explorer and SWVG patron John Pilkington was given at Avenue St Andrew's Church, Southampton on Friday 19 November 2010 7.30pm

Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran are in the news for all the wrong reasons. John Pilkinton unravelled a picture quite different from the news stories when, starting in Beirut,  he followed a winding route via the Euphrates, the Caucasus and the Valleys of the Assassins to finish on the Persian Gulf.  He met a spectacular variety of people - Druze, Mennonites, Arabs, Kurds, Armenians, Azeris and both Shi'ite and Sunni Iranians - and to his surprise found families and whole communities working together to survive the harsh climate and political strife.

This was a fascinating talk and not to be missed. Over 70 people attended and about £650 was raised.

LIVING UNDER OCCUPATION
An Eye Witness Account from the Occupied Palestinian Territories 7.30 Tuesday 26 October at Avenue St Andrews URC, The Avenue, Southampton SO17 1XQ (opposite Northlands Rd)

A Talk by Miranda Pinch (SWVG member) who worked as an Ecumenical Accompanier/Human Rights activist and advocate on the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) from Oct'09 to Jan'10. There was  a collection for EAPPI and SWVG

Legal Issues Workshop 27th September 2010

Jo Renshaw came to Avenue St Andrews to talk to Visitors about current issues relating to Asylum Law. Sixteen Visitors participated. She shared the latest information on state of Legal Aid as well as clarifying the difference between categories of Leave to Remain and a number of other issues.

The workshop was followed by surgery where Visitors took specific queries to Jo on behalf of their Clients. Very good use was made of this time, with many queries being dealt with.

We have been very fortunate to have been able to put on some very significant events which have promoted awareness, entertained us, and have raised the profile of SWVG's work. We are extremely grateful to the members, patrons, friends and supporters who have given their time and hard work to achieve this. In the last twelve months SWVG has presented and benefited from:

LIVING UNDER OCCUPATION
An Eye Witness Account from the Occupied Palestinian Territories
7.30 Wednesday 1 September at United Church, Jewry Street, Winchester

A Talk by Miranda Pinch (SWVG member) who worked as an Ecumenical Accompanier/Human Rights activist and advocate on the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) from Oct'09 to Jan'10.
There was a collection for EAPPI and SWVG

SWVG PARTY

Covenant with the Poor appeal - Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th May

Group members will be making the first appeal at seven services at St Peter's Winchester and three other local Roman Catholic churches. The second appeal will take place in September. So far the May appeal has raised nearly £5,000.  We are very grateful to the congregations of St Peter's, Winchester and the other churches in the Catholic Parish of Hampshire Downs.

So far the May appeal has raised nearly £5,000.  We are very grateful to the congregations of St Peter's, Winchester and the other churches in the Catholic Parish of Hampshire Downs

WINCHESTER COLLEGE MUSIC SCHOLARS CONCERT

Friday 4 June - 7.30 - New Hall - College St, Winchester

Music Scholars played Elgar's "In The South" and Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2

There was a Reception for Members and Friends in the Headmaster's garden after the concert

OSCAR NEMON

An illustrated talk by Aurelia Young, daughter of the famous refugee sculptor, Oscar Nemon, was held on the May 19th. The Bishop of Winchester hosted a marvelous evening at Wolvesey, his home.  Aurelia’s fascinating talk about her father’s life and work was enjoyed by 90 people and over £1,000 was raised for SWVG.

from the archives......

"A Few of our Favourite Things" - 29th November 2009

Our Patron, Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Fry and Friends appeared in "A Few of Our Favourite Things". A cast of 28 well-known actors from stage and screen gave their performances free to support refugees and SWVG.

- to read a full write-up click here -

Rehearsal Photocall - Photo by John Launder

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