Portsmouth News - Columnists Feed

Friendship is something we must treasure

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:05:20 GMT

For more than 50 years, they have extended the hand of friendship across the sea. And the value of that link was plain to see when Gosport schoolchildren welcomed visitors from the town’s French twin, Royan, over the weekend. Marking the 250th anniversary of Gosport town council’s creation by recreating the dress of the year 1763 for their Gallic visitors, youngsters from Bedenham Primary School gained more than just a fun day out.

Parents must ensure their children are given all jabs

Fri, 17 May 2013 06:58:19 GMT

It’s bad news and good news in the story that we carry on page 12 today about childhood immunisations.

Dambusters raid helped change the course of war

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:19:48 GMT

Seventy years ago tonight 19 Lancaster bombers took off from RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire for a raid which would become indelibly etched into the British psyche.

Important to keep a sense of perspective over results

Wed, 15 May 2013 07:10:01 GMT

It sounds pretty shocking, doesn’t it? On page five today we reveal how swimming in the Solent off Southsea beach could be banned because of new European water quality regulations.

Port deserves much praise for attracting cruise market

Tue, 14 May 2013 06:50:45 GMT

Come to Portsmouth and see the world. For as long as anyone can remember, a version of that slogan has been used to tempt people into a career with the Royal Navy.

When charges go up get the message over clearly...

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:02:53 GMT

Sending a parcel, as anyone whose tried to do it recently, is not as simple as it once was.  Gone are the days of pop it on the scales and stick a stamp on.

New pollution rules must be delayed for city’s sake

Sat, 11 May 2013 06:24:52 GMT

It is, perhaps, often difficult to find sympathy for companies that earn millions of pounds a year when they complain of feeling the strain and having to pass price increases on to the consumer. And we’re in no doubt that many large companies need to do more to take their environmental responibilities seriously despite it often being costly to do so.

Caution is key while police investigate incidents

Fri, 10 May 2013 07:02:49 GMT

The national headlines carry some horrific news at the moment involving children – there are two ongoing high-profile murder trials which stemmed from the tragic death of children.

Ark Royal’s final bow will hit the navy’s self-esteem

Thu, 09 May 2013 06:51:15 GMT

It has become a sight all too common to those who care passionately about the Royal Navy and watch eagerly the comings and goings of its warships in Portsmouth Harbour.

Ambulance workers must be treated with respect

Wed, 08 May 2013 06:30:48 GMT

They go into the medical profession because they care and want to help people.

Treatment of supporters requires an explanation

Tue, 07 May 2013 06:19:33 GMT

Nobody would try to deny that football hooliganism was one of the more shaming aspects of the 1980s, and nobody would deny that in the existence of the 6:57 crew Pompey did not have its share of the troubles.

Follow the example of beach team and tidy up

Mon, 06 May 2013 06:15:52 GMT

For some hard-to-fathom reason, the word ‘do-gooder’ is most often employed as an insult these days – most often directed at those who are seen to be interfering in others lives.

Union’s fears over loss of fire engine are justified

Sat, 04 May 2013 07:32:17 GMT

When firefighters talk about public safety, we listen. After all, they spend their entire working lives focused on keeping us as safe as possible.

More places is the only way to fight the problem

Fri, 03 May 2013 07:21:31 GMT

The shortage of school places is Portsmouth is well-documented.

Smokers must stub them out in bins or face instant fines

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:07:20 GMT

For thousands of bus users every week it is their first impression of Havant. And for many, it might well be their last.

Bridging the Gap’s a good way to help firms grow

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:47:17 GMT

It can be tough out there for small and medium-sized businesses in the Portsmouth area at the moment.

Jobs for the locals: now developers must toe line

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:43:38 GMT

For too long developers have been allowed to call most, if not all, of the shots when they arrive in Portsmouth. They usually come with big promises of providing lots of jobs for ‘local’ people, but often the majority of them goes to outsiders.

Shipbuilding deserves a vote of confidence

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:32:15 GMT

It appears that we may soon have an answer about whether two new offshore patrol vessels will be built in Portsmouth – or indeed whether they will be built at all.

Reviewers have to remember responsibility

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:37:05 GMT

The most fearsome animal is a lioness defending her cubs, as the truism goes, and that kind of dogged ferocity can be seen all over the internet with the new generation of ‘webmothers’.

Solar power is here to stay, so give it a chance

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 06:24:04 GMT

It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s fair to say we’ll all probably have to get used to seeing solar farms.