Frankie Owens – Walking For Forgiveness

Thursday, September 6th, 2012. Published in Walks & Rambles by Stuart Barker

Award winning author Frankie Owens has achieved the kind of infamy AND fame normally reserved for reality TV stars and wayward ‘C’ list celebrities. Frankie however is no tango tanned 20 something, he’s an ex con with an eye on a positive future and over the coming months will be walking the length of the UK in support of The Forgiveness Project.

Frankie’s challenge is to walk from John O’ Groats to Land’s End, visiting towns and cities along the way. Each destination will include visits to prisons, probation trusts, youth offender groups, universities, and charities that work to help promote understanding, rehabilitation and re-integration of ex-offenders. Frankie began his 60 day walk on 1st September and finishes 1160 miles later on November 1st at Land’s End and every penny raised will The Forgiveness Project to:

• Collect and share real stories of forgiveness and reconciliation to help individuals transform the pain and conflict in their own lives.
• Run a restorative justice program in prisons helping build community resilience by working with victims to rehabilitate offenders.
• Create resources for schools to educate young people about peaceful solutions to conflict.
• Provide tools for resolving hurt and conflict by holding events and running training programmes.
After being a prisoner and losing everything Frankie is now an award-winning writer with 30 articles published to date, and counting. Frankie has been welcomed by The Huffington Post, Sabotage Times, The Guardian, Works for Freedom, The Justice Gap and The Royal Society of Arts. Numerous universities have also invited him to speak to them, with local newspapers and radio stations running articles and interviews too.

Frankie is the author of the ‘Little Book of Prison, A Beginners Guide’ and is inviting donations at www.justgiving.com/frankie-owens.

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Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge with Mandy Cobb

Tuesday, July 17th, 2012. Published in Walks & Rambles by Tristan Savage

On Saturday October 6th 2012 Mandy will begin her trek up three of the highest peaks in Yorkshire. The challenge is to complete the circuit in 12 hours. Phew. Mandy is looking to raise money for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, a chairty which is dear to her family’s hearts and inspired by her Auntie Carol.

“At the grand age of 48, Carol was certainly a fighter, which I’d say is how she is remembered. She loved being around all her family, especially her sisters (my lovely aunties) and everyone loved being around her in return. She was always happy and always smiling, no matter what. I can’t put into words how much she is thought of and missed everyday by everyone in my family.”

Strong Island wishes you all the best on your journey, your support to The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and to the memory of Carol. You can help Mandy help raise money over at www.justgiving.com/Amanda-Cobb

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Take action to save the Hayling Ferry!

Sunday, February 6th, 2011. Published in Bikes & Cycling, Harbours & The Solent, Seafront & The Coastline, Walks & Rambles by Tristan Savage

Thanks to Jon Spencer for bringing this to our attention. Take action now, “The proposed city council budget for 2011/12 onwards proposes that the subsidy currently offered to the Hayling Ferry be cancelled. This will more than likely spell the end for the ferry service which provides a great route into and out of the city for cyclists and pedestrians. The budget will go to the vote at council on tuesday 8th February. If you would like the service to be saved then please phone, email or write to your ward councillors to ask them to oppose the motion to scrap the subsidy. Find your ward councillors HERE. Some reasons why the ferry needs to remain:

The Hayling ferry provides vital access to a rural area to the residents of Portsmouth. This is one of the very few rural areas that is accessible to the people of Portsmouth without requiring access to a car. Our MP, Mike Hancock, spoke very eloquently on the breakfast news on this week about how vital public access to rural areas is to the wellbeing of a community and how he was therefore, in opposition to his government’s plans to sell off woodland. He was absolutely right to make this stand but it will be prove pointless if means of accessing such rural areas are removed.

Despite the assertions made in appendix C of the budget report, the Hayling ferry is widely used by citizens of Portsmouth. It is used daily by workers at Hayling, Havant and Langstone (and further afield) who commute by bike. It is heavily used by people who wish to visit the beaches or to use the popular Billy Trail by foot or by bike. The Hayling Ferry link is part of the UK national cycle network route 2 and as such is used by cyclists from across the UK to get into Portsmouth.

The major transport challenge Portsmouth faces is surely the fact that most of the city is on an island and there are very few access routes. Removing one of these routes is surely, at best, extremely unwise? This will increase pressure on the already extremely congested Eastern Road and will remove, at a stroke, the most pleasant way onto and off of Portsea Island.

The Hayling Ferry is good value. It’s annual subsidy of £15,000 is only about 1.3% of what the pyramids is costing the city this year. In terms of the value of the leisure and travel opportunities it presents it is punching well above its weight.”

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Urrrrrghggghghgaragghhhggghgguhhhhhmhhhhrgggg

Thursday, October 28th, 2010. Published in Local Events, Walks & Rambles by Tristan Savage

You heard me. The army of the undead have risen and will be terrorising the streets of Southsea this Halloween. Apply white powder, fake blood and guts galore and join the zombie masses on a rigor mortis paced walk around the streets of Portsmouth, through shopping malls and busy streets, stopping at the odd pub along the way.

Grab all the killer info you need regarding time, place, tutorials and generally how to be the undead on a good day over at Facebook. Braaaaaaainnnnnnnzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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Urrrrrghggghghgaragghhhggghgguhhhhhmhhhhrgggg

Friday, October 22nd, 2010. Published in Local Events, Walks & Rambles by Tristan Savage

Grab all the killer info you need regarding time, place, tutorials and generally how to be the undead on a good day over at Facebook. Braaaaaaainnnnnnnzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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Urrrrrghggghghgaragghhhggghgguhhhhhmhhhhrgggg

Monday, October 18th, 2010. Published in Local Events, Walks & Rambles by Tristan Savage

Grab all the killer info you need regarding time, place, tutorials and generally how to be the undead on a good day over at Facebook. Braaaaaaainnnnnnnzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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New Section of Hayling Billy Trail

Thursday, January 21st, 2010. Published in Bikes & Cycling, Walks & Rambles by Paul Gonella

Hayling Billy trail is a really popular cycling, running and even horse riding trail that runs along the Langstone Harbour edge of Hayling Island. On the 26th February a new section of the trail will be opened to the public by David Willets MP, portfolio holder Jenny Wride along with Simon Pratt from Sustrans. The opening starts at Havant Road Langstone at the junction with Mill Lane at 10.30 am and then there will be tea and coffee at the Sailing Club after the opening with a small display showing future joint cycle improvement and safe routes to school projects that Sustrans, HCC and HBC are intending to carry out within the Borough over the next 18 months.

Hayling Billy also runs past the old Oyster Beds at the northerly point of the island, are a great place to visit to spot birds this time of year.

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West Hayling Local Nature Reserve

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009. Published in Bikes & Cycling, Walks & Rambles, Wildlife by Paul Gonella

On Saturday morning we passed through the West Hayling Local Nature Reserve (in Langstone Harbour) whilst on a bike ride along the Hayling Billy coastal path. In recent years the area has been heavily re-landscaped from the old rubbish tip back in to oysterbeds (as it was from Roman times right up to the first world war). This redevelopment was undertaken to provide a safe and secure habitat for wildlife. The reserve is a haven for sea birds at all times of the year and is also home to Little Terns, one of Britain’s rarest breeding birds.

The nature reserve can be easily accessed and enjoyed by bike using the Billy coastal path (like we did) but there is also car parking available if necessary and the whole area is great for walks with great views over the harbour, well worth a visit as it is only minutes from Portsmouth. Click here for more information and a full history of the reserve.

Nature Reserve

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Farlington Marshes Official Tour

Thursday, June 18th, 2009. Published in Walks & Rambles, Wildlife by Paul Gonella

Farlington Marshes are located at the top of Langstone Harbour and are a wildlife reserve helping to protect the habitat of birds, insects and plants. On SUNDAY (21st) at 10am there will be an official tour of the marshes consisting of a 2.5 mile guided walk, a great way to learn about the wildlife of both the marshes and the harbour (seals!) and the management of the reserve. There is no need to book, just turn up on the day at the car park off the Eastern Road roundabout with the M27. Binoculars will be available to borrow for the walk. The walk is free but a donation of £1.50 towards the upkeep of the reserve is suggested.

For more information contact Jamie Marsh on 01489 774429 or check here.

EDIT: Oops, I got the date right but the day wrong, it is the 21st, which is the Sunday.

Marshes

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Southsea Ramblers Association – Watership Down

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009. Published in Archives, Walks & Rambles by Tristan Savage

We burst the bubble again last weekend for a pretty epic ramble, or should I say hike. Taking the advice of the Guardian Newspaper we embarked on a 6 hour walk across the North Wessex Downs. Although the walk is a good 45 minute drive away it’s well worth the journey and the reward at the end is one of the finest pubs I’ve ever eaten at, the Roayl Oak. Check out my Flickr for the full set.

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Features

Strong Islander Calendar 2014 #SIC2014

Tuesday, June 11th, 2013. Published in Features, Strong Island by Stuart Barker

This year we have changed the way we are compiling our 2014 calendar. Instead we are inviting entries of all themes all year round.

We will dedicate at least two of the months for images taken on Instagram. If you’ve taken a photo that you’d like to submit for consideration you just need add the hashtag #SIC2014.

We will still primarily be accepting submissions via email calendar@strong-island.co.uk.

This year the calendars will be available from mid November from the Strong Island online store and Southsea Gallery. I’d also ask that you keep 14th November free from 7pm, we’ll announce why in late July.

This year we will again be supporting the Alzheimer’s Society as well as another local charity which we will be announcing very very soon!

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Drunken Sailor Returns…Strong Island and Strong Island Recordings at Southsea Fest 2013

Friday, June 7th, 2013. Published in Features, Local Events, Music & Bands, Strong Island Recordings by Paul Gonella

Strong Island & Strong Island Recordings are very proud to present our 2nd year at one of the premier new music festivals, Southsea Fest and we are also very proud to be the first stage announcing this year too. We follow up from last year’s ‘Drunken Sailor’ event where queues of one in one out were formed within the opening 15 minutes of the stage starting and where our infamous stage was known for sweat dripping from the walls and ceiling while rabid mosh pits brewed…all in the early afternoon.

This year we have upgraded venues to just across the road with the upstairs of the Southsea Social Club where we have a few new ideas planned for the day while ensuring the same chaos and vibe from our label parties resume. To celebrate what will be Strong Island Recordings’ 1st birthday we like to think we have pushed the boat out this year with a heavy line up ranging from grunge, surf punk, noise pop to space math rock.

So we are really stoked to present the following who will be playing our 1st drunken, messy birthday bash:

Arrows of Love
The Black Tambourines
Slowcoaches
The Physics House Band
PLaylounge
Yoofs
Tyrannosaurus Dead
Battery Hens
Cycle Schmeichel
Ricky Fitts
Perch
You’re All Smiling But We’ll All Turn Into Demons

A Spotify playlist of some of the acts can be listened to HERE.

Tickets can be purchased HERE.

Last year’s shenanigans at ‘Drunken Sailor’ can be watched below and HERE.

We hope to see you all there on the day and get involved!

Drunken Sailor Returns...Strong Island and Strong Island Recordings at Southsea Fest 2013

Arrows of Love at Strong Island/Strong Island Recordings' Drunken Sailor stage at Southsea Fest 2012 (6)

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Strong Island & My Dog Sighs present Head Jam

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013. Published in Albert Road, Art, Craft & Design, Cultural & Exhibitions, Features, Local Events, Strong Island, Strong Island Recordings by Tristan Savage

We are stoked, as always, to be working once again with local artist My Dog Sighs on what is set to be one of the largest mural paintings in the city.

Rick from Head Hairdressing on Albert Road conceived the idea of having the courtyard to the rear of the local barbers transformed in to a permanent giant art piece. From precision multilayered stencils, through bubble gum cutsie to surreal illustrative mayhem, My Dog Sighs has hand picked his favourite artists from across the country to produce the ultimate street art dreamscape courtyard.

Head Jam will run all day so feel free to pop along, take a look, have a chat, hang out, meet the artists and enjoy the atmosphere. There will be music on all day, a BBQ turning over in the background if you want to stick a burger on (not supplied), and please feel free to bring along a beer too. Everyone is welcome, so bring the kids so they can see some of the countries finest street artists working together in this unique environment.

Attending artists include: Snik, Wah Graff, Id-iom, Korporate Kaine, Process Smith and of course My Dog Sighs. Be sure to check their links to see more of their amazing work and we look forward to seeing you.

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Strong Island Clothing Co X Portsmouth Supporters Trust T-Shirt Available for Order

Friday, April 19th, 2013. Published in Community, Features, Sport & Fitness, Strong Island Clothing Co by Paul Gonella

As you are probably well aware from reading the news recently, the Portsmouth Supporters Trust succeeded in their bid to take control of Portsmouth FC making it the biggest community owned club in the UK. It is a long and hard fought victory by the fans that have endured years of bad fortune, bad news and bad performances and a couple of the SI crew have seen most of them! PST’s aim is to bring about responsible, democratic representation at Portsmouth Football Club and so help promote the highest standards of transparent governance, accountability and embed Portsmouth FC deeper into its community through greater communication and co-operation with its fans.

We contacted the PST back in November last year to put forward our idea of doing a Strong Island PFC edition T-shirt to raise money towards buying a share in the club. The PST warmly welcomed the idea and we are pleased to say we are now putting our plan into action.

Strong Island is keen to get behind the trust as are many others. We’re going to pledge £5 of every limited edition SI X PFC tee sold towards Strong Island buying a share of the football club, therefore financially helping PFC in it’s aim to become stable again and continue to be a hugely important aspect of the city.

The design itself is a re-imagining of the common elements from the iconic Portsmouth FC logo from the 1980s and the Strong Island logo, with two swords in place, each dated with the club’s FA Cup wins. The Strong Island Clothing Co. items are normally hand screened in East London but for this particular tee they are produced literally just down the road from Fratton Park and will be at a special price of £15 (plus P&P).

No matter if you are passionate about football or not, we hope this tee is a way of showing support for a club that is now a beacon to the rest of the country for a city and a community that strives to work together for the better.

To pre-order the t-shirt click on the link below. Tees will be back from the printers soon and we hope to have orders in the post by the end of the month, if not sooner.

Order your Strong Island Clothing Co. X Portsmouth Supporters Trust T-Shirt

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Anglepoise, Strong Island and The University of Portsmouth Present The Creating Balance Project

Friday, April 12th, 2013. Published in Art, Craft & Design, Created Local, Cultural & Exhibitions, Features, Film & Cinematography, Photography, Strong Island by Paul Gonella

We are very proud to announce The Creating Balance Project, a new, collaborative project between Anglepoise, Strong Island & the University of Portsmouth to celebrate a design classic and local creativity in Portsmouth. The project aims to showcase the working studios and disciplines of artists and designers across the island and connect them to local photographers to capture, document and collaborate.

Anglepoise lamps have been given to each of the 10 participating artists/designers and the 10 photographers involved have used the lamps to light the photographs, give a sense of place and document the artist, where they work & how they create. During the collaboration sessions University of Portsmouth BSc TV and Broadcast students Massimo Marzullo and Jonas Jakunas have been documenting the project, producing short films for each collaboration.

Later this summer key images from each photographer will be printed and displayed with the films, lamps, photos and more in an exhibition in Portsmouth and one in London (TBA).

The collaborations are:

Andrew Whyte & Peter Clutterbuck
Matt Sills & Lorna Apps-Woodland
Paul Gonella & Tristan Savage
Russell Squires & Farkfk
Josh Knill & I Love Dust
Thor Haley & William Pounds
Rob Luckins & Roo + Barry Abrook
Cotton Candy & Neal Layton + Sadie Tierney
Matt Saxey & Deer Park Alpha
My Dog Sighs & Jack Daly

The project is progressing over the next couple of months and already two films are finished and many collaborations complete. Below are the completed collaboration films and we will be posting updates on The Creating Balance Project regularly here on Strong Island. To keep up to date with the project also please check the Creating Balance website where you can see loads of photos from behind the scenes of the collaborations.

creatingbalanceproject.tumblr.com

A huge thank you to Claire Sambrook, Simon at Anglepoise and everyone involved.

The Creating Balance Project

The Creating Balance Project (3)

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Strong Island Clothing Co. Spring 2013 Capsule Now Available

Thursday, March 28th, 2013. Published in Features, Strong Island Clothing Co by Paul Gonella

It’s been a while (apologies) but the Strong Island Clothing Co. spring 2013 capsule drop is now available and online in the Strong Island Shop Ahoy store! The drop includes some brand new Branded tee colourways, a new grey crew (highest quality, carefully selected and sourced) and a collection of accessories including new beanies, our seriously high quality Branded iPhone cases (4 & 5) from Etch and our hand crafted, leather coin pouch collaboration with Raw & Auburn.

To kick this capsule drop off right we visited the home of Portsmouth’s Eberhardt signwriters and neon sign specialists. Eberhardt are a true creative business gem of the city with a very long history and still produce hand crafted, carefully designed neon signs, a rare and special craft these days. Check the photos below and the behind the scenes edit too to see more. Photography principally by Jack Daly.

View the full lookbook HERE.

www.strongislandclothingco.com

Strong Island Clothing Co. Collections - Spring 2013 - Eberhardt (1)