A band that has been performing for more than 100 years is looking forward to its summer shows.

The City of Southampton Albion Band (COSAB) will be part of Romsey's bandstand performances, playing at the War Memorial Park on Sunday. June 21 at 2.30pm.

The band, which has been around for more than a century, said it enjoys visiting the Romsey bandstand twice a year.

Kirsten Blissett, chair of the City of Southampton (Albion) Band, said: "Romsey is a great example of a traditional bandstand, so it's really lovely that the town council still prioritises booking bands throughout the summer.

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"The bandstand concerts are very relaxed and therefore much more accessible than a traditional concert, so they can be enjoyed by a much wider audience.

"Bands get so much back from seeing an audience enjoying themselves and reacting to well-known music.

"It’s a perfect opportunity to share the love of music."

The band was given the Freedom of the City of Southampton honour on May 14.

This was in recognition of its more than 100 years of service to the city.

The certificate mentions the band's "continued commitment to the City by leading the Cenotaph Remembrance Parade and other military parades", "playing at the Dell for Southampton Football Club" and "playing at numerous events in and outside the City promoting Southampton".

In her acceptance speech, Ms Blissett said: "We are a community band that endeavour to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our band members.

"Whilst we enjoy coming together to make music, it’s best when we can share this with others at community events. It makes and triggers memories, it uplifts celebrations.

"It’s therefore a tremendous accolade to know that the council shares this view and makes us very proud that you are recognising the band for what they enjoy doing and is what is at the heart of our mission."

The award was presented at the Mayor Making Ceremony at the Guildhall and several members of the band were able to attend the event.

Southampton and Hampshire is set to be battered by heavy rain and thunderstorms this afternoon.

A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms is active for the region today.

It came into effect at 9am and will last until 6pm.

Here is what the Met Office is warning of.

The Met Office warns that "frequent heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected for much of Saturday before fading from the west during the mid to late afternoon".

"10-15 mm of rain could fall in less than an hour, whilst some places could see 30-40 mm of rain over several hours from successive showers and thunderstorms," the forecaster warns.

"Frequent lightning, hail and strong, gusty winds will be additional hazards."

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Residents should consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, you should consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.

"Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.

"People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items."

On the risk of thunder and lightning, a spokesperson said: "If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car).

"Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning.

"If you are on an elevated area move to lower ground.

"Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area."

THE BID to establish a gym that will "serve the Southampton community" will be voted on by Test Valley councillors.

Adanac Business Park Ltd, the owner of Plot AP6, Adanac Park, Nursling Street, has lodged a 'change of use application' to establish BBL Gym Southampton.

According to the planning statement, it would be "a comprehensive fitness and wellness facility designed to serve the diverse needs of the Southampton community."

READ MORE: Nominations close soon for Test Valley Business Awards

(Image: Adanac Business Park Ltd) It continued: "BBL Gym Southampton will be more than just a gym. We are creating a holistic fitness and wellness hub that actively engages and enhances the lives of Southampton residents.

"Our facility will offer a wide array of classes, including Pilates, yoga, recovery sessions, bodybuilding, Hyrox, and specialised programs integrating physiotherapy and chiropractic services.

"Our core mission is to foster a strong sense of community, promote physical health, and enhance overall well-being."

Justifying the application, Adanac said the change of use "aligns with the growing demand for fitness and wellness facilities."

It also said the existing unit is "suitable for the proposed use," has "ample parking", and it is an "accessible location", which would ensure "minimal impact on traffic and surrounding areas."

It said: "We have conducted informal consultations and have received positive feedback from local residents."

Despite "positive feedback", the application is being brought before the Southern Area Planning Committee (SAPC) because "it is contrary to the provisions of an approved or draft Development Plan or other statement of approved planning policy, adverse third-party representations have been received," according to the case officer.

Beamish Planning Consultancy, which sent a letter of objection, said: "I would draw your attention to how this planning application appears to being administered as a 'minor' application despite it being a 'major' application as it refers to the change of use of over 1000 square meters of commercial floor space."

In representations attached to the letter, the consultancy said the application would go against multiple planning policies, and the site has inadequate parking.

It also said the current application does not meet the scope of ambition for the site and a further one would likely be needed.

READ MORE: Councillors to vote on 'alien' battery storage facility

Despite the objection, the case officer is recommending approval. Concluding their report, they said: "It is considered that proposed use represents an appropriate departure from Policy LE6 and complies with policy LE10 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan and is therefore acceptable in principle.

"In addition, the application proposes significant economic benefits, and it is further considered that the proposed development would cause no adverse harm to the character and appearance of the area, public highway network or amenities of neighbouring properties."

Test Valley Borough Council's SAPC will take place on Tuesday, June 10. To find the application online, go to the council's planning portal and search 25/00530/FULLS

Southampton is home to the largest number of unpaid carers in Hampshire.

This is according to data from charity Carers UK, which estimates around 18,130 people in the city are unpaid carers, providing care worth £614 million in 2021 alone.

The data also states around 145,000 people in Hampshire are unpaid carers, and their combined care is worth £4.45 billion.

Nationally, unpaid care is worth an estimated £184 billion annually.

Despite this, many carers feel invisible and undervalued, as more than half (55 percent) want more recognition from the public.

A Specsavers Home Visits director, Chris Smith, said: "Our Home Visits colleagues are in people’s homes every day, seeing first-hand the incredible support carers give to their loved ones.

"It’s so important unpaid carers and their loved ones get the support and also the recognition they deserve."

To emphasise the immense yet often overlooked contribution of carers, Specsavers Home Visits and Carers UK have unveiled 'The Most Valuable Portrait'.

This artwork, created by artist Colin Davidson, symbolises the dedication of unpaid carers across the UK.

It is valued at a symbolic value of £184 billion by London's fine art auction house, Roseberys.

Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: "Without unpaid carers, our health and social care system would collapse.

"We want to see greater acknowledgment for the true value of unpaid care, a lifeline for many that often goes unrecognised."

The portrait features the face of UK carer Jaycee La Bouche, who cares for her mother.

Jaycee said: "It is such an honour to have had my story and experience as a carer immortalised in a portrait."

For more information about the portrait, how to purchase it, or accessing support for carers through the new Specsavers Carers Hub, visit specsavers.co.uk/most-valuable-portrait.

The portrait was unveiled at the Saatchi Gallery on May 29 and was on display at London’s South Bank from May 30 to June 1.

It will now be put up for sale, with all proceeds going to Carers UK.

Linzi Kinghorn

BBC News

Amateur actors wore nature inspired costumes to a council meeting in a bid to give a voice to Southampton's non-human residents.

Campaigners wanting to make Southampton a National Park City aired their concerns at an "interspecies democracy meeting" on Thursday.

It was part of the week-long Urban Wild festival that culminates with an event at Southampton Common on Sunday.

The group said its vision was for an urban setting where where people, culture and nature coexist harmoniously.

It proposed policies to protect the city's flora, fauna and the River Itchen.

Christelle Blunden, the group's chair who dressed as a river for the event, said: "Southampton is particularly unique - we have a chalk stream here which is a birthplace for Atlantic salmon.

"We have some unique habitats and it's looking at how we can gather momentum around the idea of looking at our natural heritage in the same way you would a national park."

She added that the event was about looking at "how other species contribute to our lives and how we can manage those relationships better".

Speaking from the Civic Centre, Councillor John Savage, cabinet member for Green City and Net Zero, said: "We're doing an awful lot to make sure that we maintain and keep the green infrastructure across Southampton and develop it more."

He suggested interconnecting the greenways around the city, making it easier for creatures to travel.

Councillor Dave Shields, the outgoing lord mayor, got involved with the performance and dressed as an owl for the occasion.

"We need to protect our environment, we need to be addressing net zero, we need to be taking more action to protect our wonderful biodiversity," he said.

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