…the Southsea vert ramp is BACK in action at the now independent and charity run Skatepark. Thanks to the Southsea Skatepark Volunteer group for their hard work getting it back open in time for Vert Wednesdays! Rip it up guys. I want body jars, inverts and smith grind tail grabs. Sick.
Our latest Your Twenty Four comes from Alex Blayac who documented her travel from Gosport on to the island and in to Southsea. Alex has been living in Southsea for 5 years now and is still inspired constantly on her travels around town. A point well made that’s proven in her own personal view.
“I had a go at my 24 last weekend. I started from the Gosport Ferry because I used to take it everyday to go to work when I first arrived, so it made sense for me to start from there. Then I took a walk in Old Portsmouth. I poped in to the square tower where there was a craft fair and I had a lovely vintage tea and bought the most springy cupcake. I carried on along the seafront up to South Parade pier, there is always something new to shoot – ice cream van, fishermen, graffiti, etc. I headed into Southsea through the common, walked past the skatepark from where I could hear lots of music and happy people. I arrived to albert road, starving, so I went Sakura, my favourite. After a great meal I walked up Albert road and finally headed back home where I enjoyed a cup of chicory looking out of the window and feeling happy after such a nice day in such a nice place. It was a bit of a challenge for me as I’m not usually so productive in such a short time, but hey! here it is! enjoy.”
You can see more of Alex’s photos over at her Flickr. She’s got some great photos. I’m loving Beast. Thanks for sharing. Click the Read More link at the bottom to see the full Your 24 from Alex Blayac, and don’t forget to add your comments too. You can see all the past Y24 posts HERE.
Southsea Gent Mr Mark Persaud just sent me these awesome panoramic photos from last years Strong Island Bike Ride. It’s really great to see the full group photos and get a feel for how big the ride really is. Good work mate. Look forward to seeing this years too. Click the lower panoramics for a closer view.
What better way to celebrate the Royal Wedding than a night of classic rock belters, ready to shred your ear drums and melt your face right of your skull! Rawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwk
Local artist Mark Kellett is currently showing his work at the Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham until 30th May.
Strong Island Hopper has sold out of it’s first batch! But great news, another one has been brewed. This means if you haven’t had a chance to try it out yet you will still be able to over the coming weeks. Available in The Belle Isle and various Albert Rd establishments as well as the Hole In The Wall. It’s a rather lovely drop I must say……
What an incredible Easter weekend it’s been. The sun has been shining and spirits are high as people enjoy the glorious weather and take advantage of the wealth of activities and destinations around the city. Especially along the seafront all the way from Eastney to Old Portsmouth, and more so for us personally at The Round Tower where people who are on the Millennium Walk are greated by open doors to the fantastic ancient building.
And of course, what better a weekend to enjoy a casual bike ride, and who would of guessed so many cyclists would all gather at The Bridge Tavern on Easter Sunday. I would estimate at least 200 people on all manner of bike arrived to take part in a sunny jaunt along the seafront and back. Huge thanks to everyone that just happened to pop along and make a hot sunny Sunday a really nice day out.
Below are a few photos from the bike ride, including some excellent birds eye snaps from Derek Thomas. Cheers Derek, loving them. It’s always hard to capture the length of the ride. Saft and Boneless also sent over a little video clip of the now mandatory roundabout loop. Lot’s of bikes, ringing bells and happy people. Cheers guys. You can also see my full set over at Flickr, and there are more to come from other people that attended.
Photos: Tristan Savage
Photos: Derek Thomas
Video: Saft and Boneless
Happy Easter! Get stuck in to that chocolate and sunday roast and then if you want to burn it all off pop down to the Bridge Tavern for 12ish and then maybe go for a ride on your bikes, you know, sometime around 2ish, if you like. Pop past The Round Tower too to see the live painting going on and the exhibition, if you haven’t seen it yet.
My Dog Sighs put up a crucifixion outside The Round Tower in his own inimitable style on Good Friday, the free eggs went in minutes but it’s been photographed all weekend, including these by Diana Goss. Hope you have a good Christian and/or pagan holiday (or simply a fun, relaxing Sunday) in the sun.
A quick reminder that Art on the Pier will be running today and tomorrow on South Parade Pier, from 10am to 5pm. This popular local arts event has been run a few times and is always a good turnout of local exhibitors including artists, designers, jewellers, photographers, etc.
As you may know each year we run a home brew competition in February where the winning brew has the opportunity to be brewed by Irving & Co Brewing Co. and sold around the city in the summer. Last year’s brew, the Strong Island Hopper Ale, was hugely successful being one of Inving’s best selling ales and selling out so quickly it went through a second brew run. This year’s winning ale is Dry Dock No. 1, originally brewed by Lee Immins, went on sale in some of Portsmouth and Southsea’s pubs over the weekend.
We spoke to The Hole in The Wall in Southsea who said the new ale went down a storm with it being their best seller on Sunday and with almost two barrels empty by the end of the Bank Holiday weekend. Those guys at the Hole in The Wall and their regular ale drinkers know their stuff so for us this was amazing early news with the ale.
To officially launch Dry Dock No. 1 we are having a launch party with the lovely souls at The Belle Isle on Thursday evening. The ale will be on full flow, come down and try a pint or two. As well as being on sale all around the city the ale will also be available in Chichester’s Belle Isle too, so you can drink it away from home for the first time too.
Just over a year ago, a group of Strong Islanders were sat on the Isle of Wight ferry on our way to the yearly Randonnee cycling event; 60 miles around the island spread across 5 checkpoints. Whilst on the crossing we couldn’t help but admire various enthusiasts and their custom team jerseys. Fast forward a year and it is my great pleasure to unveil the Strong Island cycling jersey. Made as a one off for the event, the jersey is our way of representing this city and all the values that come with it. Thanks to the combined designing efforts of Chris Ballingall and Tristan Savage, we were able to produce this clean, retro looking jersey that 11 of Southsea’s finest could wear to conquer the island’s endless hills. Well done chaps.
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