Southsea Lifestyle Aug-Sept 2026

August / September 2026

Southsea LIFESTYLE

Saturday 26 September 10am to 12 noon

Education designed for girls aged 3 to 18 years Discover Portsmouth’s

email me

Lets make sure your marketing works as hard as you do. Also available to contact is Tyler Pay on 07496 814636 *Terms and conditions apply.

As you can probably tell from this somewhat brief introduction our August/September edition is packed with everything that’s happening in and around Southsea. Inside, you’ll find features from talented local writers, community news, and support from the fantastic local businesses whose advertising makes this magazine possible. A heartfelt thank you to every one of them.

Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy this issue while making the most of summer in our wonderful city.

If you have an event, community group, or business you’d like to promote in the city’s widestdistributed magazine, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at info@southsealifestyle.com the deadline for our October/November edition is 10th September.

Zirrinia Austin Editor

PORTSMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL APPOINTS NEW PREP SCHOOL HEAD

Portsmouth High School GDST is delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Ruth Irvine-Capel as the new Head of Prep School, effective from September 2026.

Mrs Irvine-Capel is already a familiar and much-loved presence within the school community, having served as Assistant Head (Pastoral) at the Prep School. An alumna of Oxford High School, which, like Portsmouth High School, is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), she studied History at the University of Cambridge before completing her PGCE. Her career spans teaching and leadership roles across both state and independent schools, as well as advisory teaching. She joined Portsmouth High Prep School’s leadership team five years ago and has been instrumental in shaping its pastoral and academic provision.

and challenged, with no limits on their learning from the moment they join our wonderful PreSchool. Our aim is that each girl not only fulfils her academic potential but also develops the skills she needs to flourish as a fearless future leader and change-maker.’

Speaking about her appointment, Mrs IrvineCapel said:

‘I am thrilled to take on this new role and to continue working alongside our talented staff, supportive parents and, of course, our articulate and lively pupils. My vision for the Prep School is that we continue to offer the very best in girlfocused pastoral support and academic excellence, working closely with our senior school colleagues to ensure a coherent, inspiring educational journey.

‘I want parents to feel confident that at our Prep School their daughters will be both nurtured

As a GDST alumna herself, Mrs Irvine-Capel emphasised the strength of being part of a family of schools dedicated to putting girls first:

‘I have seen first-hand, not only as a teacher but also as a parent of daughters, the remarkable difference that the GDST ethos makes. I believe deeply that pastoral care and academic achievement go hand in hand. When girls feel safe, supported and valued, they are empowered to achieve their best. When academic ambition is matched with excellent care, wellbeing and confidence soar.’

VISIT PORTSMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL’S OPEN MORNING

Saturday 26 September | 10.00 am–12.00 noon

Why not visit Portsmouth High School at our next Open Morning to discover why we design education specifically for how girls learn best, empowering them to reach their full potential?

Our Pre-School, Prep School, Senior School and Sixth Form will be open and buzzing with activity. Guided by our enthusiastic pupils, you'll enjoy a family tour and gain genuine insight into life at Portsmouth High School.

As Portsmouth celebrates its rich 100-year history, visitors can also take part in our special Portsmouth 100 Trail, taking them on a journey across the school's three sites, all conveniently located just a few minutes' walk from one another.

Highlights of the morning include :

• Meet the Head, chat with our dedicated staff, and hear directly from pupils about their Portsmouth High experience.

• Interactive science experiments – discover the wonders of science through hands-on activities.

• Climbing wall challenge – put your skills to the test and reach new heights.

• Trampolining sessions – bounce into action and join the fun.

• Live music performances – relax and enjoy outstanding performances by our talented students.

• Language games and activities – engage in fun and educational challenges.

• Design Technology workshops – get creative and personalise your own mug or pencil.

Saturday 26 September 10am to 12 noon

Education designed for girls aged 3 to 18 years

WHY DO YOU IMAGINE THE WORST?

WHY DOES YOUR MIND GO INTO OVERDRIVE?

Elios Stone

Do you find yourself imagining disastrous futures? While spiralling thoughts may seem unhelpful, this type of mental creativity often has roots in self-preservation. In childhood, when safety felt uncertain and no amount of thinking could solve things, your mind likely learned to go into overdrive — and it stayed there. Fortunately, there are ways to break free from these mental cycles.

WHAT CAUSES CATASTROPHIC THINKING?

Catastrophic thinking occurs when the mind, driven by a relentless urge to solve problems, gets trapped in a loop of worstcase scenarios. Though these scenarios are often improbable, they can feel very real, embedding themselves in the mind as truths. This cycle may stem from emotions stored in the body and is closely linked to stress responses. Elevated cortisol levels, muscle tension, and a strained nervous system create a life dominated by chronic anxiety.

Once established, these patterns can amplify everyday worries into overwhelming anxieties, depleting energy

levels through a mental drain of “negative creativity” used to construct imagined disasters and hypothetical conflicts. This cycle of “what ifs” creates anxiety and often manifests physically as discomfort in the stomach, chest, or throat. Left unchecked, these sensations can transform fleeting discomfort into ongoing suffering.

WHY ISN’T OVERTHINKING HELPING YOU?

Many people, myself included, have spent years caught in this cognitive cycle, replaying conversations, feeling regret, and wishing for better outcomes. While the brain might suggest that “preparing for the worst” offers a form of readiness, it often just fuels more anxiety. Despite its problemsolving nature, the brain doesn’t provide logical solutions for emotional issues. Emotional wounds must be felt and processed, not merely analysed.

“Feeling more connected with my body has already shown me how I can stay in the moment and not let my mind take over and try to control situations.” — Alex, Southsea

HOW CAN YOU QUIET THE CATASTROPHIC MIND? Breaking

free from catastrophic thinking involves shifting the focus from the brain to the body. Somatic approaches such as mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork can help you reconnect with your body and release the underlying stress and trauma driving mental overdrive.

Here are three practical tips to help quiet your mind:

• Practice Mindfulness: Start by pausing and bringing your attention to the present moment. Notice your breath, the sensations in your body, or even the feel of your feet on the floor. This will help disrupt cycles of anxious thoughts.

• Engage in Meditation: Dedicate a few minutes daily to sitting in a comfortable spot and observing your breath. This can shift your focus away from racing thoughts and toward a state of calm, reducing the mind’s tendency to spiral.

• Use Guided Breathwork: Breathwork unlocks stored tension within the body. Focusing on deep, rhythmic breathing can soothe your nervous system, offering moments of profound peace

WHY CAN’T TALK THERAPY HEAL EVERYTHING? Talking therapies certainly have their place, but verbally revisiting the same problems can actually reinforce cycles of overthinking. Often, emotions and energy are stored within the body, and true release

requires deeper somatic work.

“In other therapies, I have experienced a lot of talking, and when you walk out in the street or get in your car, the emotions come flooding, you cry, and no one's with you to help you integrate. With Elios, I felt so held in session and afterward that I could relax, breathe, meditate, and release.” — Jane, Southsea

Tension from stress and trauma often embeds so deeply that it not only drives catastrophic thinking but also becomes physically trapped, often requiring more than willpower or talking to release. By working through anxiety at this level with dedicated and specific practices, you can reclaim energy, time, and clarity — opening the way for deeper connections, renewed passions, and a fuller enjoyment of life in the present moment.

“The morning after my breathwork session with Elios was the first morning I'd woken up in months and not felt anxiety and dread for the day ahead.” — Sara, Southsea

Scan the QR code to book your complimentary consultation, or visit www.eliosstone.com for more information.

DO YOU HAVE TO APPOINT SOLICITORS AS EXECUTORS IN YOUR WILL?

Research shows that only one third of adults in the UK have a valid Will. If you don't have one, the Intestacy Rules determine who is entitled to your estate. For many people, this may be sufficient, but you can run into problems if you have:

1. An unmarried partner

2. Extensive assets

3. A wide, dispersed family

4. Inheritance tax concerns

5. Concerns about the cost of long-term care

As a solicitor, I naturally recommend that your Will be professionally prepared by a regulated firm of solicitors. This gives you reassurance that your circumstances are considered as a whole and that the person preparing your Will is properly trained, acts in your best interests, charges fairly and is properly insured.

You may think you need to appoint a solicitor as the executor of your Will. However, I generally advise my clients that this isn't necessary unless there is a good reason to do so. There may be divisions within the family or concerns about beneficiaries' trustworthiness. In these situations, appointing an experienced solicitor can provide valuable support.

I believe it is in my clients' best interests to know that if they appoint a friend or family member as their executor, they are free to seek professional help from a solicitor later, rather than appointing one from the outset.

This is important because it allows costs to be managed, especially as so much can now be done by a lay executor. The majority of estates I assist with involve helping executors complete the inheritance tax return and apply for the Grant of Representation,

all for a very affordable fixed fee, rather than charging from the very start of the administration.

If you'd like to learn more about how I can help with your Will or probate, please call me on 02382 410013 for an informal chat or email me at jenny.walker@cognitivelaw.co.uk

SERVICES

• Wills and Estate Planning

• Probate and Estate Administration

• Inheritance Tax Planning

• Lasting Powers of Attorney

• Wealth Planning and Protection

1:1

Booking appointments

W I N WIN your prom dress on the night T&C's Apply* PERKS for attendees

10% OFF any dress purchase Refer-a-friend discount Gift Cards available**

Register and book your FREE ticket here

DON’T MIND THE GAPS

Martyn Cox

As I write this, I’ve just returned from a dog walk. For my sprocker spaniel, the highlight was being let off her lead at Canoe Lake, but for me it was strolling along local streets. Apart from admiring some wonderful front gardens, I discovered many ornamental plants that had clearly jumped garden walls to establish in the surrounding landscape.

Among those to catch my eye were an English lavender growing in a gap between kerb stones, several hollyhocks brightening up a back alley and a hebe clinging to the face of a wall. Down one street, I was excited to find several seedling tree echiums (a native of the Canary Islands) thriving in cracks in the pavement.

I admire these plants whose seeds establish in gaps and less hospitable places and appreciate all they do to soften our urban environment – they help blur the straight lines of pavements and walls, disguise drains and add beauty to places that are sometimes on the austere side.

ROGUE TROOPERS

and butterfly magnet was a British native, however it was introduced from China in 1896. First grown at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, it was later discovered to be a prolific self-seeder, and the first garden escapee was recorded in 1922.

Another plant that’s widely naturalised is Erigeron karvinskianus. Native to Mexico, this spreading, daisy-like plant made its debut here in 1780 and is found in walls and paving cracks across the south. I planted several in my front garden a few years ago and it’s now a firm fixture of the street scene.

My fascination with ornamental plants that go rogue started in childhood. I grew up in the East Midlands, where Victorian factory walls were studded with butterfly bushes (Buddleia davidii), sometimes flourishing within crumbling mortar, 20-30m above the ground. This shrub is also a common sight across our city, whether colonising brickwork or more natural places, like Milton Common.

Given that it’s so widespread you might think this bee

FOLLOW NATURE’S LEAD

Apart from enjoying ornamental plants in the urban environment, I welcome those that self-seed in my garden. As far as I’m concerned, any bare spot is a planting possibility for an opportunistic species and if nothing seizes the opportunity, then I’ll take the initiative and plant it up myself.

Creeping thyme is brilliant in cracks in paving, providing a durable mat of aromatic leaves and bee-friendly flowers in summer. If you have gaps in walls, try cuttings of sempervivum, delosperma or alpine sedum. Improve the chances of plants rooting by prising out loose mortar and filling the void with John Innes No.1 compost

Martyn Cox is an award-winning garden writer, author and presenter, who runs his own garden maintenance, mentoring and consultancy business in Southsea. He can be found on Instagram @gardenwithmartyn

WHY DO I NEED A LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY (LPA)?

If you lose mental capacity through illness (for example a stroke, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease), or an accident, and haven’t created an LPA:

• You will no longer be able to choose who makes decisions and act for you (such as your spouse and children). You can only make your LPA while you still have mental capacity.

• A stranger appointed by the court such as a solicitor would end up making crucial decisions about you and your assets – where you will live, whether to accept medical treatment to keep you alive, what you eat and wear, and will control all your finances and your property.

• Your spouse, children or friends would have to

apply to court to get permission to make decisions on your behalf and act for you –which is far more expensive and timeconsuming than making an LPA and the court could refuse the application.

If you still have mental capacity, LPAs are a simple, inexpensive, and legally robust way of giving someone you trust the power to make decisions and act for you – either temporarily or long term should you lose capacity in the future.

To plan for this, you must create an LPA now whilst you still have mental capacity and so make things much easier for other people in your life.

Westminster Law are specialists in organising this

*

you are over 60 it will cost you only £95* for

ALL CHANGE

Neil Maxwell

With a new Prime Minister who has said he is going to reinvigorate business, industry, housebuilding and change the way we buy and sell houses, it sounds like a time to get the champagne corks popping.

I really hope that the way we buy and sell houses can be altered. Those of us old enough to remember the home information packs (Hips), which were introduced in 2007 and then cancelled in 2010, will recall that they were designed to speed up the selling process, giving buyers access to information such as surveys, searches, and property information before they made their offer, allowing them to make an informed decision.

The reality back then was that mortgage lenders wouldn’t accept a third-party survey, and the searches were only valid for a short period. Any Land Registry searches would have a very limited shelf life, so the integrity of the document was very limited.

including EPCs, Title information, Historic documents, Building and maintenance records, and other conveyancing data.

One of the biggest proposed changes is to allow buyers and sellers to enter a legally binding commitment earlier in the transaction. Currently, either party can walk away up until exchange of contracts. The Government is exploring mechanisms that would create a binding commitment earlier, reducing gazumping, gazundering, late withdrawals and collapsed chains.

Some of the new proposals would require estate agents to provide key information before or at the point of marketing a property, including property condition, leasehold information and costs, planning permissions, flood risks and chain information.

The new scheme would entail Digital Property Packs / Property Logbooks, rather than paper HIPs. The Government is backing digital property records, which can then be updated and reused throughout a property’s life,

With legal conveyancing switching to electronic conveyancing, including electronic signatures, digital document sharing, automation and connected property data systems.

The aim is to reduce duplication and manual processing between estate agents, solicitors, lenders and Land Registry, so that the sale process, which currently takes three to four months, will be significantly reduced.

All these suggestions will be a positive step for the industry, and if there is to be any kind of formal licensing of estate agents, the standards of what can be expected from all agents, not just some, will be significantly better for consumers.

Whilst all the above may sound daunting to some of us, we simply cannot continue to languish in a house buying process that offers no guaranteed outcome and maintains a legal process that a Victorian solicitor would probably still recognise.

RICHMOND TERRACE, SOUTHSEA -

£645,000

• Charming four-bedroom family home arranged over four floors with a warm cottage feel and stylish presentation throughout

• Rare off-street parking, west-facing rear garden and en-suite to the principal bedroom

• Chain-free opportunity in a sought-after Southsea location, moments from the seafront and local amenities

EPC Rating: D

GARDEN LANE, SOUTHSEA -

£875,000

• Detached family home set within one of Southsea’s most sought-after private roads with off-road parking

• Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, study and utility room offering generous and versatile accommodation

• Peaceful yet central location, combining privacy with easy access to Southsea seafront, shops and amenities

EPC Rating: D

CHELSEA

ROAD, SOUTHSEA - £425,000

• Beautifully refurbished three-bedroom, twobathroom family home finished to an exceptional modern standard

• Spacious accommodation across three floors, ideal for entertaining and contemporary family living

• Chain-free property in the heart of Southsea, moments from Albert Road, Southsea Common and the seafront

EPC Rating: D

Centenary celebrations, outdoor dining and keeping our homes cool

By Lizzie Burt Associate Director at Chinneck Shaw

This summer has been about three things: the heat, the heat again, and finding ways to stay cool in the heat. While we’ve certainly been feeling it, we’re immensely grateful to have the seaside on our doorstep – especially when talking to friends and family off the island.

But summer isn’t going anywhere yet. With August and September often bringing some of the warmest days, we’re making the most of it while we can at Chinneck Shaw!

Here’s how we’re spending summer in Southsea:

Welcoming ‘Fun at the Fair’ to Castle Road

Until 13 September, Phillippa and Rachael Corcutt’s beautifully designed lion sits proudly on Castle Road as part of Portsmouth100’s Pride of Portsmouth Trail. As a business founded in 1883, these celebrations hold special significance for us, and we’re honoured to have a lion nearby to symbolise the community-driven independent businesses we stand alongside.

Keeping our homes cool

Practically, we’re thinking more than ever about cooling our house and letting the breeze in. Here’s our top tips if you don’t have air conditioning:

• Block direct sunlight by closing blinds and curtains

• Create a cross-breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of your home in the early morning and late evening

• Reduce internal heat by turning off nonessential electrics

• Place a bowl of ice in front of a fan for an instant cooling blast

• Leave extractor fans running after showering or cooking to remove humid air

• Opt for fresh, airy diffusers instead of candles – a more psychological shift, but it helps!

Making the most of BBQ season

Staying hydrated at our favourite cafes and bars

While the Chinneck Shaw team are upping their water intake, we’ve also been enjoying some more indulgent summer drinks. For iced coffee or fresh juice, we’re loving The Tenth Hole, Farm Kitchen, Southsea Coffee Co, and the new SAND Cafe.

For something a little stronger, we’ve been enjoying Southsea Beach Cafe’s new location, Pacifico, Gin & Olive, and of course, Delaneys and the Barley Mow here on Castle Road.

Whether it’s at ours or a friend’s, we’re embracing the longer evenings by eating outdoors. If a garden is on your radar, we’ve got a range of new properties with beautiful outdoor space on the market. Here’s a couple of our favourites:

DERMAL FILLERS — NOT JUST FOR FACES

The medical foot treatment transforming lives — and it has nothing to do with how you look.

When most people hear the term dermal fillers, they picture cosmetic clinics and facial treatments. Very few would think of their feet. Yet for a growing number of patients at Perfect Skin Solutions in Southsea, a carefully placed injection into the sole of the foot has achieved what years of padding, insoles and pain relief could not: given them their lives back.

Dermal filler applied to the feet is not a cosmetic procedure. It is a medical one — and for patients living with chronic foot pain, ulceration, persistent hard skin, or the aftermath of surgery, it can be genuinely life-changing.

MEET NISHAL PATEL — PODIATRIST

Nishal Patel is an HCPC-registered podiatrist with 26 years of clinical experience. She began her NHS career in 2000, specialising in diabetic foot care, before providing all podiatry services to the Ministry of Defence in Gibraltar — treating service personnel with long-term foot and lower-limb pain that, in some cases, had failed to respond to surgery.

Since 2010, she has run a highly regarded private practice in Portsmouth and Southsea and now leads the Foot Clinic at Perfect Skin Solutions — a CQCregistered clinic and Hall of Fame winner 2026 (Aesthetic Medicine Awards). Nishal has advanced specialist training in biomechanics and complex foot conditions. She is among the very few medical practitioners in the UK offering foot filler, and patients routinely travel from across the country to see her.

WHAT EXACTLY IS FOOT FILLER?

The fatty padding beneath the heel and ball of the foot naturally thins with age, weight loss, or after injury and surgery. When that cushioning is lost, every step places pressure directly onto bone — causing pain, altered gait, and secondary problems in the knees, hips and back.

Nishal uses Curacorn, a hyaluronic acid gel formulated specifically for the mechanical pressures on weightbearing feet — unlike standard facial fillers. It is injected precisely beneath the skin to restore lost cushioning. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, is well-tolerated, and requires no surgical recovery. It may be used in the heel, the ball of the foot, over painful corns, between the toes, and in areas prone to ulceration or blistering.

“I had been walking on bone for over 30 years.”

“Following surgery, I was left with no cushioning in my foot. The pain affected my knees, my hips and my back — and stopped me doing simple things like walking barefoot at home. I found Nishal at Perfect Skin Solutions through an online search and, honestly, I was amazed this treatment even existed. After three sessions of foot filler, I walk completely pain-free. My heel-to-toe movement has been restored, my balance has improved, and my chiropractor has noticed a real difference in my alignment. I cannot overstate the improvement in my quality of life. This is not a luxury. It is a necessity.”

Lorraine Gleeson, Hypnotherapist, Southsea

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Nishal Patel on advanced podiatry at Perfect Skin Solutions

Q: What is your approach to verrucae?

Verrucae can be notoriously stubborn. We offer two effective options: dry needling, which punctures the verruca to stimulate the body’s immune response to the human papillomavirus (HPV); and the Ultraclear laser, which precisely targets and destroys the affected cells. Both approaches aim to resolve the condition rather than merely manage it.

Q: What else does Nishal treat?

Beyond verrucae, we treat ingrown and involuted toenails under local anaesthetic, persistent hard skin and corns, and nerve pain, including Morton’s neuroma and plantar fasciitis, using botulinum toxin type A. Biomechanical assessments identify gait issues underlying knee, hip and back pain and inform bespoke orthotics.

Nishal Patel BSc (Hons) Podiatry · HCPC Registered · CQC-Registered Clinic Member, Society of Chiropodists & Podiatrists

This is a paid advertorial. All treatments are subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Results may vary. Botulinum toxin type A is a prescription medicine administered only by a qualified clinician following consultation.

ESCAPE TO THE FARM

Creativity. Wellbeing. Music. Community.

Saturday 12th September 2026 | Rushmere Farm, Hambledon, Hampshire

Escape the everyday and reconnect with nature at Escape to The Farm, a unique one-day celebration of creativity, wellbeing and conscious living, set in the beautiful woodland surroundings of Rushmere Farm, a carbon-negative organic farm in the heart of the South Downs National Park.

Whether you’re looking to recharge, learn something new or simply spend quality time with family and friends, Escape to The Farm offers an inspiring mix of workshops, live music, wellness experiences and delicious plant-based food, all while supporting the incredible work of Arms Around The Child

NEW FOR 2026

Your ticket now includes a Friday Welcome Gathering, with live music, a licensed bar, campfire atmosphere and incredible plant-based pizza from

Stones Throw Pizza, the perfect way to start your weekend escape.

CREATE, EXPLORE & BE INSPIRED

Discover a packed programme of hands-on workshops including:

Pottery • Painting • Floristry • Creative writing

Cyanotype sun printing • Women’s circles

Environmental walks and talks • Guided tours of Hampshire Market Garden

Whether you’re coming alone, with friends or bringing the whole family, there’s something to spark every imagination.

WELLNESS IN NATURE

Slow down and restore your body and mind with an extensive wellbeing programme featuring: Yoga (Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Vajrasati & Acro)

Reiki • Meditation • Breathwork • Ecstatic dance

Reflexology • Indian head massage • Full-body massage

Sauna experiences • Hot and cold therapy

With peaceful spaces throughout the site, you'll find plenty of opportunities to relax, reflect and reconnect.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Children can enjoy a magical creative zone packed with arts and crafts, woodland workshops, storytelling, natural dyeing, foraging walks, evening nature adventures and marshmallow toasting around the fire. Children under 14 go FREE

FEED YOUR SOUL

Enjoy fresh, nourishing plant-based meals from The Hungry Herbivores at The People’s Kitchen, alongside snacks, cocktails, mocktails, hot drinks and a fully stocked bar. Browse the new on-site charity shop for unique pre-loved treasures.

A FESTIVAL WITH PURPOSE

Escape to The Farm is a not-for-profit event , with proceeds supporting Arms Around The Child’s projects in India, South Africa and Ghana, helping children

and families access education, shelter and essential resources. Every ticket helps make a difference.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Saturday 12th September 2026

Location: Rushmere Farm, Hambledon

Early bird Tickets:

£25 Day Ticket

£45 Day Ticket + Lunch & Dinner

£15 Camping per tent/campervan per night

Full Line-up and Programme: To be released soon. Rainproof Event: Marquees and indoor spaces available.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Step away from the noise, embrace creativity, nourish your wellbeing and experience a truly unforgettable day in one of Hampshire's most beautiful settings.

Instagram: escapetothefarmuk

Facebook: Escape To The Farm

Website: www.escapetothefarm.uk

Email: escapetothefarmuk@gmail.com

Call: 07801292553

A BRIGHTER SUMMER SMILE

There's so much to smile about in Southsea. We've been enjoying balmy summer evenings on the beach, days out with family, food festivals, barbecues and catching up with friends. Summer is full of moments that make us laugh, smile and want to be in the photos.

But if you've ever found yourself thinking about your teeth before you smile, you're certainly not alone.

Over the years, staining, discolouration and everyday wear can gradually dull the sparkle of your smile. We meet patients all the time who tell us they’ve started smiling with their mouth closed, avoiding photographs or feeling a little self-conscious.

Staining, mis-colouration and yellowing can leave you unsure about whether or not you should burst out into a big smile at a family do or event.

At The Dental Wave, we're passionate about looking after people’s teeth and ensuring they’re healthy. We check teeth, gums and soft tissues because strong oral health always comes first.

But we also know that how you feel about your smile matters just as much.

Many patients have lived with chipped teeth, worn edges, gaps or wonky teeth for years, thinking, “I’ll get round to it one day.” Sometimes, all it takes is one small step to begin transforming your smile and your confidence.

“I had chips on my old bonding, and I’d heard about the new injectable composite bonding. My experience was excellent. Even though I live out of area now, I keep coming to The Dental Wave. They’re really friendly. The composite bonding feels and looks very natural. I'm so happy with my smile.”

Amy, patient

DENTISTRY WITH A VIP LOUNGE FEEL

Professional teeth whitening is often the ideal place to start. It’s quick, safe and minimally invasive, and can make a significant difference to the brightness of your smile.

As our main practice continues to care for the people of Portsmouth and Southsea, we're incredibly excited to open The Dental Wave Cosmetic Clinic this November. This additional space has been designed exclusively for smile transformations.

Imagine walking into a place with the relaxed feel of an exclusive airport lounge. Soft seating, beautiful surroundings, and a coffee as you chat through your smile goals, with no rushing and no pressure. Just time with experienced clinicians who genuinely care about helping you achieve the smile you've always wanted.

YOUR SMILE JOURNEY COULD

INCLUDE:

• Professional Teeth Whitening to brighten your smile safely.

• Composite Bonding to repair chips, worn teeth and uneven edges using beautifully natural materials.

• Invisalign® clear aligners to gently straighten teeth without traditional metal braces.

• Bespoke Veneers designed to enhance your smile naturally, not create an artificial look.

WHITER THIS AUGUST – A BETTER SMILE FOR LIFE

This August we’re offering our professional teeth whitening treatment for just £260:

Not only will your smile become brighter, you'll also receive a comprehensive smile assessment with one of our experienced clinicians. Together we'll explore whether composite bonding, Invisalign® or veneers could help you achieve the smile you've always wanted, with a personalised treatment plan that's completely tailored to you.

Professional teeth whitening carried out under the care of a qualified dental clinician is one of the safest and most effective cosmetic dental treatments available.

If you’ve been thinking, “I’d love a nicer smile,” why not make this the summer you finally do something about it?

We'd love to welcome you.

Call our friendly team today on: 023 9282 8193 and take the first step towards a brighter, straighter and more confident smile. Monday to Friday | 8:00am to 5:00pm (Tuesdays till 6.00pm)

The Dental Wave ,

27 Highland Road, Southsea PO4 9DA

ALSO THIS AUGUST... 5D Oral Scan – £48

Advanced digital scan to assess your teeth, bite and oral health. Suitable for adults and children aged 5+ FREE Summer Smile Explorer Sessions

Fun oral health activities helping children build healthy smiles for life.

Call for details

BEHIND THE GOGGLES

A return to Hilsea Lido, and a timely reminder to respect the hidden dangers of open water by Katy Sexton

Hilsea Lido reopened at the beginning of May. In the days before reopening, bright blue skies reflected the fresh, inviting water of the newly restored pool. But in true British fashion, opening day brought grey skies and scattered showers. Still, that did not stop us from embracing the chance to swim outdoors in such a special place.

As we approach the summer holidays, many of us will make the most of the warmer weather by spending time in or around water. While open-water swimming is hugely popular, it is important to remember that it carries hidden dangers.

Anyone familiar with Portsmouth will know the Lido and will have seen its long decline. It was kept alive by dedicated volunteers who refused to let it disappear. Eventually, it was returned to the council and then entrusted to South Downs Leisure, who have transformed it into the fantastic modern facility it is today.

Growing up, I heard stories about how wonderful the Lido used to be. It was a favourite spot for my parents in the 1960s and 70s, which makes it even more special to enjoy with my own family now.

As someone who has spent most of my life swimming in pools, I have always been drawn to outdoor swimming. A lido is perfect: open air, fresh water, and, crucially, I can see the bottom. The sea is a very different story.

Open-water swimming has an unpredictability I find difficult to shake. One moment you can touch the seabed; the next, you are completely out of your depth. It is the changeability that unsettles me.

Open water is particularly appealing to young people because it is so accessible. They can feel invincible and may take risks without fully appreciating the consequences. No matter how strong a swimmer you are, conditions can change in an instant, and even experienced swimmers can find themselves in difficulty.

Cold-water shock remains one of the biggest dangers. During recent heatwaves, it contributed to several unintentional deaths. Warm air does not mean warm water. Suddenly entering cold water can make your body gasp involuntarily, leaving you struggling to breathe or stay afloat. If this happens, remain calm, float with your ears in the water, focus on slow, steady breathing, and swim only once your breathing is under control.

Keep an eye on family and friends whenever you are around water. If someone gets into difficulty, call for help rather than putting yourself at risk by attempting a rescue.

At the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. At a river, lake, canal or other inland water, call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service. The right response can save a life.

PSouthsea Coffee Corner

Finding Belonging, One Cup at a Time words and photo Olivia Smith

eople often describe coffee shops as their “third space” — somewhere beyond home and work where they can relax, connect with others and feel a sense of community. For me, though, those spaces have overlapped. Coffee shops are where I've spent countless hours chatting with friends, meeting new people and finding a quiet place to escape. Somewhere along the way, they evolved from places to meet friends, unwind and find a sense of community into something much deeper: a genuine passion. They’re also where I discovered and have since built what I now proudly call my career.

My curiosity has taken me far beyond my local coffee shops, too. Whenever I travel abroad, one of the things I look forward to is discovering the local coffee scene. The same goes for cities and towns across the UK, where I often find myself “coffee shop hopping”, trying exceptional coffees, discovering new places, connecting with like-minded people, and chatting with those I meet along the way.

career: becoming Head Barista at Southsea Coffee. It is a role that means a great deal to me, as it represents not only the skills and knowledge I have developed but also the trust placed in me to enhance the customer experience when they walk through our doors. It is also much more than making great coffee; it’s an opportunity to keep learning, share knowledge, support our team, and continue creating a space where people feel comfortable, welcome, and valued. It is also about furthering my growth, both professionally and personally, within the industry.

As someone who has always enjoyed connecting with people, I have found that coffee helps me start conversations and share experiences. Whether they are curious and looking to discover something new, introducing me to coffees they think I’d enjoy, or returning to share how much they loved something I recommended, I really enjoy those moments of connection.

Every coffee shop has its own personality, from the way it welcomes customers to the care that goes into each cup. Those experiences have continued to shape my appreciation for speciality coffee shops and have shown me how much passion, creativity and connection they embody.

Being part of Southsea’s coffee scene has given me a sense of belonging, and I am incredibly grateful to now be helping to shape that experience for others as well.

This journey has now led me to a new chapter in my

Looking back, it feels incredibly special to now be part of the same spaces that once gave me comfort, inspiration and a sense of belonging. Coffee shops have a unique ability to bring people together, and Southsea is fortunate to have such a vibrant coffee scene. These spaces become part of a place’s fabric; the familiar faces, the conversations and the small moments that bring people back time and again. Behind every cup is a person with a passion for their craft, and behind every coffee shop are countless stories and connections that make these spaces so special. I feel incredibly lucky to now be part of that story in Southsea.

WHAT’S ON

HAMPSHIRE FARMERS MARKET

Sun 16 August & 20 Sept 10am-2pm

Palmerston Road precinct, Southsea PO5 3QE www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk

LOVE SOUTHSEA MARKET

Sat 15, Sun 16 August Sat 5, Sun 6, Sat 19, Sun 20 September10am-4pm

Palmerston Road precinct.

Southsea PO5 3QE www.lovesouthseamarkets.co.uk

VICTORIOUS FESTIVAL

Fri 28, Sat 29 & 30 August 11am-11pm

Southsea Seafront www.victoriousfestival.co.uk

OUR SERVICES

• Interior Painting • Exterior Painting

• End of Lease Refresh • Commercial Painting

• Plastering • Damp Proofing

At LCQ Painting, we provide affordable, high-quality painting services for homeowners, landlords, and commercial properties across Portsmouth, Southampton, and the surrounding areas.

We’re proud to be verified by Trust a Trader, with most of our work coming from repeat customers and recommendations. We arrive on time, deliver quality workmanship without cutting corners, and provide honest, transparent pricing with no hidden costs.

Highly Recommended

“LCQ Painting always deliver an outstanding job and consistently go above and beyond. Their workmanship has been praised by our landlords and students alike. I look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

Joe Laming, Director, Hub Club Homes, Southsea

“LCQ Painting have maintained and painted my Southsea properties for over 10 years. They are reliable, efficient, take pride in their work, and I trust them completely.”

Peter, Southsea Landlord

BIGGER. BRIGHTER. UNMISSABLE! ROWANS HOSPICE’S SHINING STARS WALK RETURNS FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT OF REMEMBRANCE, COMMUNITY AND FUNDRAISING

Rowans Hospice is bringing back its much-loved Shining Stars Walk on Saturday, 26 September 2026. Whether walking in memory of a loved one, supporting local hospice care, or simply enjoying a special evening, participants can expect a memorable night of reflection, celebration and community spirit.

Starting at 7pm from HMS Temeraire, walkers can choose a 4-mile or 8-mile route along Portsmouth’s iconic waterfront, taking in landmarks including the Spinnaker Tower and HMS Warrior. New for 2026, participants can dedicate a personalised star projected onto one of Portsmouth’s most iconic buildings as a unique tribute.

Entertainment, starting at 5pm, will add to the atmosphere, while HMS Warrior will once again open exclusively for participants to light a candle and remember loved ones.

The Hospice hopes to raise £70,000 to support specialist care across South East Hampshire. Tickets cost

£27 for adults and £12 for children (free for under 3s), including a commemorative t-shirt, refreshments and a finisher’s medal.

Online registration closes on Tuesday, 22 September, with tickets also available on the night on 26 September. For more information and to register, visit www.rowanshospice.co.uk/event/shining-stars-walk.

The Pompey Foodie

By James Donougher

PICNICS, TAKEAWAYS AND HARBOUR VIEWS

Being a foodie, you’ll often find me wandering from my Southsea home through Marmion Road, perhaps picking up something from Southsea Local or calling into its sister business,

Southsea Coffee on Osborne Road. Having recently been granted their alcohol licence, you can now enjoy a mimosa or espresso martini with your visit. Whether you choose to sit inside, relax

in the newly-redeveloped shaded garden or take your food away for a picnic, their new small plate dishes make the perfect accompaniment.

Both August and September are the perfect months for picnics and takeaway food rather than dining inside a hot restaurant. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing our local high streets thriving, but these summer months are about making the most of where we live. So why not grab a takeaway from a local independent, find a shaded spot overlooking the sea and pause for a moment to appreciate just how fortunate we are to call the south coast home.

My favourite spots for shaded sea views are the many shelters and canopies that line the promenade between The Pyramids Centre and Speakers’ Corner, by The Briny. Alternatively, head to the Hotwalls in Old Portsmouth or, if a sea view

isn’t essential, find a shaded spot on Southsea Common by the skatepark or beside Canoe Lake. Hunter Gatherer is a brilliant place to pick up a takeaway at this end of the seafront, with colourful smoothies and delicious plantbased food, Brian and his team always offer a warm welcome, and it’s wonderful to see one of Southsea’s long-established independents continuing to go from strength to strength.

My final mention goes to the one and only Still & West in Old Portsmouth. We recently took my family there when they travelled down from Liverpool for my daughter’s christening, and it reminded me why it’s one of Portsmouth’s most iconic dining spots. The first floor offers a unique vantage point across the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour, where ferries, naval ships and fishing boats constantly pass by. Pair those views with a menu full of pub classics and you have the perfect place to slow down and watch the world go by.

Southsea Lifestyle readers can also enjoy an EXCLUSIVE 10% DISCOUNT throughout August using the code

SLSW10 when booking. The offer is valid from 1st to 31st August, excludes Sundays and applies to tables of up to four people.

As Portsmouth celebrates its centenary year and continues its bid to become UK City

of Culture 2029, I encourage everyone to explore somewhere new, support our independent businesses and celebrate the incredible mix of food cultures that make this city so vibrant. Whether you’re enjoying a picnic, a takeaway or a meal overlooking the harbour, make the most of what’s on your doorstep and support our city’s exciting future by visiting wearepompey2029.co.uk

Custom content for Portsmouth’s businesses

We’ve been helping local businesses elevate their marketing since 2007. Today, alongside our account management, website development, copywriting and design services, we offer our widest range of bespoke content solutions yet.

Gone are the days of static marketing plans; our model is designed to adapt to a business’s ebb and flow, not force it into a rigid structure.

SHORT-FORM VIDEOS BRANDED GRAPHICS

Ideal for Reels, TikToks and YouTube Shorts

Perfect for Instagram posts, carousels and story templates

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY DRONE FOOTAGE

Ready for websites, social posts and reusable content

Crafted for stand-out content that offers a new perspective

Whether in our studio or onsite with a client, we create everything ourselves – carefully crafted digital experiences that connect, convert and cultivate a business’s online presence.

If you’d like to explore how we could help your business, or perhaps just want some advice, drop us an email or give us a call. We’re always happy to chat!

Funeral Directors & Memorial Consultants

Your local & Family Owned

Funeral Home of Portsmouth & Southsea

A Funeral Home, Wholly Owned by South Downs Funeral Service. A Family Company

90 Elm Grove, Southsea, Hants PO5 1LN

Tel: 023 92 875575

info@mayfieldsfunerals.co.uk

Direct Funeral Services from £1395.00

Tailored & Simple Funeral Services from £2595.00

Under the personal care of Mr Paul Lee-Bapty

Dip FD Affil RSH, Miss Lucy Thomason Cert

FS and Mrs Kerrie Davey Cert FS

•Golden Charter Funeral Plans

•24 hour local, personal care and support

•Floristry Service

•Stonemasonry Service

•Fully accredited and regulated members of SAIF

•No deposit or credit checks required

100 YEARS OF PORTSMOUTH, 50 YEARS OF BARBARA TIPPLE JEWELLERS

As the city celebrates its landmark ‘Portsmouth 100 year of city status’, it is a fitting time to reflect not only on the places that define our unique island city, but also on the independent businesses that have become woven into the fabric of local life.

After leaving Hornsey Art College in London, I moved to Portsmouth and started designing and making my designs. After a few years I worked from my first shop with a workshop attached. This gave me the opportunity to work with clients who would also commission special pieces designed for them.

I wanted to create beautiful jewellery and to offer something personal, somewhere people would feel welcome and safe, where jewellery wasn’t just bought, but discovered, designed, repaired, remodelled and cherished.

Jewellery is deeply personal. It marks the moments that shape our lives — marriages, births, anniversaries, achievements and even

times of loss. To be trusted with those moments is a privilege that I have never taken for granted.

What has been particularly rewarding is that a journey that started here in Southsea has grown to be recognised much further afield. I have received numerous industry awards over the years such as the Diamonds International Award four times, and the most recent being awarded the Creative Jewellery Designer of the Year in 2025 and to see my work exhibited permanently in the jewellery gallery in the Victoria and Albert Museum has been a real career highlight, along with the University of Portsmouth honouring me with a Doctor of Letters.

Behind every piece of jewellery is an enormous amount of skill, care and attention to detail. David and I have always shared a passion for craftsmanship and innovation,

and over the years we have worked hard to build a workshop capable of producing some of the finest jewellery in the country. With everything being designed and made in house in Southsea and Petworth, we are involved in every stage of the journey, from the first conversation with a client to the finished piece. That hands-on approach has always been incredibly important to us, because it means we never have to compromise on quality.

Portsmouth has always been a city full of talent, from its world-class engineering and universities to its artists, makers and skilled craftsmen. Although we were fortunate enough to establish a presence in Mayfair, London, for 13 years, Portsmouth has always remained our home. Having grown up in Gosport, I have seen the city transform beyond recognition, from areas still bearing the scars of the war to the vibrant and thriving

destination it is today. Southsea in particular has changed enormously. The new sea defences have created a wonderful seafront for future generations to enjoy, and the regeneration of areas such as Handley’s Corner in Palmerston Road has brought fresh energy to Southsea. While our work has taken us around the world, there has never been anywhere else we would rather call home

www.barbaratipple.co.uk 023 92753 025 15 Marmion Road, PO5 2AT

Follow us on instagram: barbaratipplejewellery

THE POMPEY BEAT

Scream If You Want to Go Faster

“Scream if you want to go faster!” echoed over the music as the Waltzer spun at Clarence Esplanade. Sitting beside my children recently, I felt that familiar adrenaline buzz. Many of us are drawn to risk from an early age. I certainly was, and perhaps that’s why, at 21, I joined the police. I spent the next decade policing Portsmouth in the 1990s, and in The Pompey Beat I'll be sharing some of those experiences.

Policing often means running towards danger when everyone else is running away. Sometimes, though, the biggest risks come from ordinary people who have simply had a moment of bad luck.

One evening, I was sent to an overturned vehicle near Clarence Pier. I arrived to find a bright yellow Robin Reliant lying upside down, its wheels gently spinning. The driver was hanging calmly from his seatbelt and greeted me with, “All right, mush. Any chance you could push me over?” Fortunately, he was unhurt. After righting the car and a negative breathalyser test, he drove away, having learned just how unstable three-wheelers can be.

Other incidents were far more dangerous. Car theft was common in the 1990s, and police pursuits carried real risks. During one chase, I deployed a tyre-deflating ‘stinger’ as a stolen car approached Portsmouth at nearly 100mph. Instead of falling away, the device became tangled beneath the vehicle, and the cord whipped past my legs as it sped off. Thankfully, it missed me, but it was a stark reminder of how quickly reckless driving can turn deadly.

That same appetite for risk appears every summer

at the Hot Walls, where youngsters leap into the harbour from the ramparts. It may seem like harmless fun, but with busy shipping, submerged hazards and cold-water shock, the dangers are real. I spent many sunny afternoons moving children on, probably earning the title of ‘fun police’, but there was always a good reason.

A little excitement is good for us, but it’s important to balance thrills with common sense. As Sergeant Phil Esterhaus used to say in Hill Street Blues: “Let’s be careful out there.”

Until next time.

Richard Foster served as a police officer for 29 years, including a decade in Portsmouth during the 1990s. He is the author of STOP, POLICE!, which recounts these experiences and other stories from his life.

Christmas Day Lunch

NYE Masquerade Ball

Tara Bell

Rediscovering Southsea through its creative community

Whilst studying, travelling, and working in different cities, countries, and hemispheres for the past four years, I found my own ways to discover the beating heart of a place and immerse myself within its rhythm. For me, feelings of ‘Home’ were created through what I let myself find and be involved in, and by learning about a place’s interdependent networks of artists and projects. Now that I have moved back to the city where I spent the first eighteen years of my life, I want to continue to let myself feel inspired and surprised, and to translate these ways of seeing and being in a place, even if this one is no longer new to me. In this editorial corner, I will be chatting to local people about their lives and projects sewn into the city’s fabric, and relearning Southsea itself in the process.

I spoke with Poppy Davenport, a wonderful artist and friend, who is living and working here in between studying fashion communication at Central Saint Martins in London. Through performance, photography and video, her intuitive and multidisciplinary practice explores ‘themes of human connection, identity and perception’ and the ‘narrative complexities of everyday life’, examining how we curate our appearances and choose to navigate the world, and how this shifts alongside the places and people we are surrounded by. One project, shot in collaboration with her coursemates on film, captures characters walking from the sea onto the beach, clothed in leopard skin boots, blazers, briefcases, and feathered hats, marking the remnants that survived from a shipwreck. As I see it,

they are entering, or re-entering, a place completely readorned and at odds with the surroundings, covered in artifacts carried over from the story they left behind, or that fell apart of its own volition.

When we return somewhere that we existed in before, the imprints that time and place have made on our shifting identities become clear. Outside the environment they were born in, we see how our tastes and creative expressions have changed, a little like arriving from a washed up voyage. What will emerge from the pieces? What will our return reveal? What will the different surroundings, networks, reactions lead us to create, or become?

How will this be reflected in the art itself?

Southsea’s coastal landscape inevitably trickles into locally-made projects. Poppy’s sister Ella’s project

‘Only When I Fish’ used dried-out fish skins given by Johnson’s fish market for a collection centred on fish’s inability to wear polo necks, with the skins wrapping around the models’ heads and necks. Poppy also mentioned plans to create a swan boat for Canoe

Lake using her Grandad’s tools that she recently inherited, referencing the city’s crafting history.

Artistic projects will always be intertwined with the materials, land, and people that they are made alongside. Poppy and I spoke about the beauty of creative collaboration, in spaces where a range of interests, tastes, and expressions can be explored; and in a smaller place like Southsea, artists with different interests are likely to know one another and come together, adding diverse elements to each project. I would love to continue to discover these networks; if you would like to chat with me about your Southsea-based art practice, across any creative medium, contact info@southsealifestyle or my instagram @tazzystarrr ! You can find Poppy on https://poppydavenports.cargo.site/ or @missflippyflop on instagram.

SPACES TO LET IN THE HEART OF SOUTHSEA

St Margaret’s Community Church in Southsea was reordered eight years ago to create unique spaces for our local community. We have a growing congregation on Sundays, and our church building is also well used during the week, serving as a cafe, soft play area, pantry and charity shop. Our hall in the building next door serves several community groups, and we still have space available to let in both buildings.

We offer three generous spaces for various letting opportunities:

HALL A large main hall with an attached fully equipped kitchen and AV equipment. Fully accessible, including a disabled toilet. Great for conferences, meetings, parties, exercise groups and clubs. We can offer tea, coffee and refreshments from our café.

CHURCH Two soft play areas: one for preschoolers and a three-storey soft play area for primary-age children, with cafe space. Children’s parties can be booked for Saturdays

WORKSHOP, CO-WORKING, OR OFFICE SPACE

This wonderful room was recently used as a workshop but would also suit a small business, a charity, or someone needing studio space. It has a large storage area in the room above, if required.

We would love to hear from you if you’d like to have a look around.

Enquiries to info@stmagscc.uk Website https://www.stmagscc.uk/ St Margaret’s Community Church, Highland Road, Southsea PO4 9DD stmagscc.uk

THERE’S

SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN PORTSMOUTH

For one weekend each year, Southsea seafront comes alive with world-class live music, incredible food, family entertainment and thousands of people celebrating everything that makes our city unique. With the Solent as its backdrop, there’s nowhere else quite like it.

This year’s festival brings another world class lineup, with Richard Ashcroft, The Black Keys and Kasabian headlining, alongside Scissor Sisters, Basement Jaxx (Live), Faithless, Bastille, The Streets performing A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Jessie J, Kelis, Pixie Lott, James Arthur and many more.

But Victorious has always been about far more than the music.

Spend the day discovering incredible street food from local favourites and exciting new traders in Neighbourhood Eats and Street Food Way, browse independent market stalls, stumble across your next favourite artist, or simply soak up the atmosphere with friends as the sun begins to set over the Solent and sailboats drift past the stages.

One of Victorious’ most iconic settings is Southsea Castle. Built by Henry VIII, the historic fortress becomes one of the festival's most unique venues, where you can climb the ramparts with a glass of bubbly while taking in panoramic sea views before dancing inside the castle walls to an incredible lineup of DJs.

A brand-new addition for 2026 also celebrates the festival’s Portsmouth roots. Little Johnny Russell's (sponsored by Radweb) recreates the legendary local pub where the idea for Victorious Festival was first born. Inspired by the venue's unforgettable nights and iconic DJ sets, the space pays tribute to the early days of the festival with an intimate atmosphere that brings together nostalgia, live music and the spirit that helped shape Victorious into what it is today. The legend is back.

Bringing little ones? The hugely popular Kids Arena is packed with entertainment, with every activity FREE and included in the price of your ticket, making Victorious one of the UK's most family-friendly festivals.

Whether you’re introducing your children to their first festival, catching up with friends, discovering your next favourite band or reliving the soundtrack to your youth, Victorious is about making memories with the whole family together in one of the country’s most spectacular festival settings.

Don’t be the one hearing everyone else talk about it afterwards – come and make the memories for yourself this Summer at Victorious Festival 2026! Tickets here –www.victoriousfestival.co.uk

The festival’s impact extends far beyond the August Bank Holiday weekend. Every year, Victorious welcomes thousands of visitors to Portsmouth, giving a significant boost to the local economy while showcasing everything the city has to offer. It also provides a platform for local artists, supports community organisations and has donated more than £926,000 to charities and good causes since 2014.