'Goddess' supports river rights walk

river rights walk 31 5 26 photo Jonny Templeton Photo: Jonny Templeton

Residents were raising awareness of the rights of rivers and the development of a charter for the council during a colourful jaunt from Mansbridge to Cobden Bridge on Sunday (May 31) - with support from the "goddess of the River Itchen, Ancasta", pictured. Southampton River Rights member Gavin Millar said before the event: "‘Legal rights for rivers may seem a strange idea at first, but if a non-physical entity such as Southern Water has legal rights ... why not our rivers, which are in dire need of better protection?" 
• Listen: River rights message flows through 'Toes in the Water day 

New Lord Mayor and Sheriff elected

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Lord MayorPat Evemy sheriff Kat Barbour children Laramie Guzman Aldana. SCCThe new Lord Mayor of Southampton wants to use her year in office to celebrate the city she has called home for almost 50 years, while a Portswood councillor has been elected sheriff.

Catch-22 over safe river bathing

testing water quality 2 600px P1050040The government has announced “bathing status” for 13 new beach and river sites, with a Catch-22 highlighted in a national media report suggesting the designation is harder to achieve in areas such as the River Itchen, where people are reluctant to swim due to existing pollution.