These were the Daily Echo’s top stories in November 2023
November began with Storm Ciaran hitting the shores of the south coast. A major incident was declared[1] in Southampton with strong winds of up to 80mph deemed a potential 'risk to life' by the Met Office. People were urged to avoid coastal and wooded areas and check transport operators before travelling.
The effects of Storm Ciaran resulted in mass flooding across the region[2]. Storm Ciaran hits Southampton and Hampshire (Image: Newsquest) Southampton, the New Forest, and Fareham[3] were all affected with fallen trees also causing havoc for motorists.
Emma Potter was walking her dog during the storm and remarked: "I wasn't expecting it to be bad. My children's schools are closed, and I have seen bigger waves in my bathtub." easyJet announced flights from Southampton to Alicante in Spain and Faro in Portugal[4] would commence from 2024.
Fares to Alicante will start from GBP23.99 while fares to the capital of Portugal's Algarve region will start from GBP47.99. Ali Gayward, easyJet's UK Country Manager, said: "We're delighted to be launching two new routes from Southampton, providing our customers in the south of England even more choice when booking their summer holiday." easyJet launched Southampton Airport flights to Alicante and Faro (Image: Southampton Airport)
A sudden death at Canberra Towers[5] in Weston shocked residents. A spokesperson for Hampshire Police told the Echo: "The full circumstances of the death remain unexplained, and we continue to make enquiries." The man was in his 30s and the family were made aware.
Police at the scene of an incident at Canberra Towers (Image: Newsquest) The month of November saw an Eastleigh Christmas lights switch-on cancelled[6] due to 'safety concerns.' A spokesperson for the switch-on said: "The extremely heavy rains in recent weeks - with further weather warnings over the coming days - have created a high risk of slips and falls for people attending the fireworks display.
"Rainy and windy conditions make the gazebos used for the market stalls a potential hazard and make it difficult for traders to protect their merchandise." Eastleigh Christmas lights switch-on 2023 was cancelled (Image: Newsquest) Police cordoned off Southampton Old Cemetery following a report of a rape[7].
The ambulance service told police that a woman in her 20s had been assaulted in the cemetery. Mark Watchorn, from St Mary's said: "We walk here every week and I'm sure putting solar lights in the trees would help - it needs more lighting." Police cordoned off Southampton Old Cemetery (Image: Newsquest)
The owner of a Southampton fish and chip shop was 'over the moon' after winning a Good Food Award[8]. The Harefield Fish Bar on Somerset Avenue was recognised for the quality of its food[9], customer service, and value for money. Claudia De Franca, the director and owner of the fish and chip shop, said: "We are absolutely over the moon to share this fantastic news with our customers."
Claudia De Franca with her Good Food Award (Image: Newsquest) A young man was killed, and another man was arrested in a fatal New Forest crash[10], involving a two-car collision on Main Road in Dibden. A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: "The driver of a Fiesta, a man in his 20s from Totton, sadly died at the scene.
"The driver of a Mercedes, a 40-year-old man from Dibden Purlieu, was arrested on suspicion of drink and drug driving. He has since been released under investigation." The scene of the fatal crash (Image: Newsquest)
To finish the month, a GBP30,000 Range Rover was stolen[11] from a Genting Casino car park. Colin Fitzpatrick was shocked when he stepped out of Genting Casino in Terminus Terrace in the early hours of Monday morning to find his GBP30,000 4x4 Range Rover had been stolen. Colin said: "I have owned the car for eighteen months.
I bought the car and customised it to my liking. It has cost me around GBP8,000 to change it and to make it just as I want it. "It was my dream car; I have always had BMWs but always dreamt of owning a Range Rover and it has taken me a long time to buy it."
Colin Fitzpatrick and his stolen Range Rover (Image: Provided)
References
- ^ A major incident was declared (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ mass flooding across the region (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Fareham (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ flights from Southampton to Alicante in Spain and Faro in Portugal (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ sudden death at Canberra Towers (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Eastleigh Christmas lights switch-on cancelled (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ report of a rape (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Good Food Award (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ food (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ a fatal New Forest crash (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ a GBP30,000 Range Rover was stolen (www.dailyecho.co.uk)