Coastline - September 2023 edition

Summer in Gosport - more free events

The free-entry  Gosport Sunset Festival  runs from 1 to 3 September on Walpole Park, celebrating street food, music, wellbeing and culture. More than 30 music acts are due to perform, and there will be a special focus on the borough's unique heritage. Music acts include Oasish, Stereotonics, Forever Queen, Foo Fighterz and Abbas Angels, along with original acts and cover bands covering a huge range of styles. Find more info on the Gosport Sunset Festival Facebook page.

Coming up on 16 September is the free-entry Stoke Road Festival, including music, workshops and activities for young and old, along with a chance to browse the area's unique independent shops. For a taste of the food and crafts that will be on offer, take a look at the Stoke Road Facebook page.

Details of these summer events, and many others, can be found in the council's Celebrate Gosport what's on guide. This covers events up to the end of the year. Printed copies have been distributed to the Town Hall, Gosport Museum and Art Gallery and Gosport tourist information centre.

Free digital training for residents

Hundreds of local people are getting up to speed with today's online world thanks to a council project.

They're getting free training to help them keep up, as more and more aspects of everyday life go online.

The training will give them the skills they need for day-to-day online tasks such as banking, booking a GP appointment, looking for a job or helping children with homework.

The training is aimed at older people in council sheltered housing schemes, homeless individuals and families in council hostels, and residents in the borough's Rowner area. Training is being given one-to-one or in groups.

Flat sealed after anti-social behaviour

A Gosport council flat has been boarded up after reported drug activity, violence, fires and late-night disturbances that left neighbours afraid to go out after dark and scared for their children's safety. Knives, an axe and other weapons were found in the property, along with Class A drugs.

Council staff had to visit the flat accompanied by police officers.

Now the council, supported by police, has obtained a court order to close the flat, in Burney House, South Street. Portsmouth Magistrates Court was told that residents had complained about constant visitors to the flat, noise, door buzzers being pressed day and night, drug-related activity, thefts, fires, and verbal and physical assaults.

Doorstep scam warning

The council is warning residents to watch out for doorstep scammers after reports of callers falsely claiming to be from the authority.

We will never cold call to ask for payments or personal details, like your pin number and bank account.

If you're approached for payments on the doorstep our advice is to be suspicious, and ask the caller for ID. If they're claiming to be from the council, you can call us to check on 023 9258 4242. It's OK to say no or ignore requests if you're not sure. Only criminals will try to rush or scare you.

Please do look out for friends, family and neighbours who may be vulnerable to doorstep scammers.

Suspicious behaviour or activity can be reported to police on the 101 phone number or at www.hampshire.police.uk Residents should call 999 if a crime is in progress. Residents who have been a victim of a fraud or scam can report it to the national Action Fraud service online or by calling 0300 123 2040.

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