Has your life been affected by cancer?

'Coffee and Cake' event

Get support, share concerns or find information, in an informal and relaxed setting, no need to book, just come along. 

Join us for coffee and cake on Wednesday 6 November at 10.30am at Central Library, third floor, Room D.

Free BookFest Event - Future of Public Libraries

Portsmouth Book Fest presents a public meeting on the future of public libraries. 
Tuesday 29^th October, 7pm, Menuhin Room, Third Floor, Central Library.  

Confirmed speakers:

Tim Coates

Tim is an author of history books, former head of Waterstone's, library campaigner and now head of international ebook store www.bilbary.com  - of which he is the founder.  He has worked with local authorities on initiatives to improve libraries

Alan Gibbons

Alan is an award-winning children's author and founder of the Campaign for the Book which lobbies for libraries and reading for pleasure. He is a member of the Speak up for Libraries coalition.

Claire Griffiths

Claire is the bid director for Carillion Integrated Services.  This private sector company has run library services for the London Borough of Hounslow since 2008. Claire's team has successfully bid for the Ealing, Harrow and Croydon library services, with Carillion now managing 47 library sites across London.

FREE tickets can be picked up from Central, North End and Southsea Libraries or reserved by phoning 023 9268 8037.

Northern Quarter development consultation

Developers, Centros, are consulting with residents on the new Northern Quarter development (background information and an opportunity to give your views is available at http://www.northernquarter.info/)

The display is in a temporary building in the Marketway car park close to the road crossing to Sainsbury’s with representatives of Portsmouth City Council also on hand to explain how the proposed development would be integrated into the city centre’s road network.

It will be open to the public on 

• Thursday from 9am to 8pm; 
• Friday 9am to 4pm; and 
• Saturday 9am to 4pm.

The anticipated timescale for the development of the Northern Quarter is:

• Submission of 'outline' planning application in 2014
• Start of construction in 2017
• Completion and opening in 2018

Half term tasters at new Hillside and Wymering Centre

Get a sneaky peek at Wymering and Paulsgrove's brand new community and youth centre this half term and take part in a programme of holiday activities.

The centre, in Cheltenham Road, which is now fully completed, will be throwing open its doors to the public every day between 10am and 6.30pm from Monday 28 October until Friday 1 November. Visitors can enjoy a tour of the new building, and kids can get stuck in to some Halloween-themed holiday activities such as Halloween-bag decorating, and pop-up spooky reading.

The aim of the open week is to encourage members of the community to come along and sample a range of the activities which will be on offer at the centre from November.

Monday 28 October will also see the opening of the 'Littlefield's' Room' which is named after and recognises the long involvement of the local Littlefield family in youth and community activities in the area.

As well as opportunities for the younger children, there are plenty of activities for the over 11's too, with cookery sessions, youth club activities including soccer, music mixing and computers. Dancers from the KRS (King Richard School) Dance Company and Dare 2 Dance will be entertaining visitors with their performance. There are plenty of activities for the adults too including latest fitness craze, Piloxing.

The Bupa Great South Run returns to Portsmouth on Sunday 27 October 2013.

Join 24,000 runners, athletes and celebrities in Southsea for the world’s premier 10 mile running event.

The weekend kicks off on Saturday morning with a new addition to the programme - a 5k run that you can walk, jog or run on a flat scenic course along the seafront, perfect for beginners.

For the younger members of the family there are the Mini and Junior South Runs which take place on the Saturday with plenty of entertainment to keep the children happy.

Sunday is the day for the Bupa Great South Run - the world's leading ten-mile running event over a fast, flat course that comes to Portsmouth every year.

Whether you are taking part or simply coming along to cheer on the participants you will be contributing to this fantastic weekend of running which is always a popular feature on Portsmouth's events calendar.

European local democracy week 2013 addresses falling turnout rates

http://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network/2013/oct/17/european-local-democracy-week-turnout-rates

Makaton Workshop

Carnegie Library IT Suite

Wednesday 20^thNovember 2.00pm- 3.30pm

Ticket price £10.00

Available from Carnegie Library
or can be ordered at any

Portsmouth City Library

This is a taster session presented by a licensed Makaton Tutor in an informal and practical style. You will learn approximately 30-50 signs and have an idea of how to use these in everyday settings. Attendees will be provided with a catalogue of Makaton resources, individual handouts and a certificate of attendance.

Community Infrastructure Levy outline presentation

A brief outline of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CiL) in Portsmouth

Further planning information can be found at http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/planning.html

South Downs autumn blaze peaks this weekend

The South Downs National Park Authority announces a range of incentives for Portsmouth residents who visit by train and bus, as the area reaches its seasonal climax

The South Downs will reach its autumn best this weekend, says expert ranger

New Portsmouth research shows that many find using trains and buses to explore a relaxing alternative to the car, but don’t know what routes are available

The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) today announces a range of discounts at pubs, cafes and attractions for those who leave the car at home, along with new guides to walks that start and finish at a bus stop or train station

Top tips for keeping warm this winter

Visit the city council's web page for useful tips and information about keeping warm and safe this winter.

Details available at 
http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/27393.html

Also, for households with children under five years old, people over 60 or physically disabled there is the free Homecheck service that offers advice, home safety and security checks, and small maintenance works to make your home safer to live in, this includes draught-proofing which is one of the most efficient ways to save energy and money.

Details available at http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/494.html

Starting in November 2013

Create a Work of Art (Painting course) 
Tuesday 5th November (6 weeks 10 – 12) 

Play with Clay (Festive Season) 
Tuesday 5th November (6 weeks 11 – 3) 

Screen Printing for Beginners 
Friday 8th November (6 weeks 10 – 12:30) 

Printmaking for Improvers 
Friday 8th November (6 weeks 1 to 3.30) 

To book a place you can call into: 
Omega Centre, 
Omega Street, 
Southsea 
PO5 4LP 

Phone 023 92 291346 or 
email Portsmouth@wea.org.uk 

Sea Life Activities and Storytime

at

Paulsgrove Library

Thursday 31^st October - 10.30 till 12.00

and 2.00pm - 3.30pm

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Activities and stories for all ages.

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Enquire at Paulsgrove Library or phone

023 9237 7818

Parents/Carers are welcome to stay.

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Children's Submarine Activity

Steampunk Submarine by ~BBreakfast

Provided by HMS Alliance

 Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport

Alderman Lacey Library

Monday 28^th October 11am - 12noon

Carnegie Library

Friday 1^st November 11am - 12noon

Just turn up on the day for a fun filled hour!

Why should anybody bother to vote?

Do you vote at Local elections?
Do you vote at National elections?
Do you vote at European elections?

We want to know

• Why is voting important to you?
• what would make it easier for you to vote?
• If you don't vote, what would make you vote in the future?

You can add your comments, ideas or reasons by clicking on the comments section below or by email to takepart@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

You can also take part in the Local Democracy Week Challenge on Monday 14th October from 2:30-4:30 - details here

Energy Talks for local groups

Neil Richardson works for Southern Electric in a unique role helping local residents with energy 
related issues. He offers impartial energy advice to local residents, including: 
- energy efficiency
- tariff Information
- best ways to pay for your energy
- what energy companies can offer vulnerable customers
- advice on falling behind on payment.

Neil gives energy talks to local groups, runs drop in energy clinic's at local centres, gives home 
visits and offers help over the phone. 

He is not allowed to sell Southern Electric's products; just give advice and help. 

If you would like Neil to talk to your group, or find out, contact him on 07825014164 or email 
neil.richardson@sse.com 

Portsmouth BookFest 2013

Saturday 19th October to Sunday 3rd November

The programme will include a variety of events for adult audiences as well as a programme featuring children’s authors visiting city schools run by Portsmouth School Library Service.

This year there are 24 events featuring 37 authors at 12 different venues across the city.

If you would like to be kept informed about the programme and about other events in the area, please join the mailing list by completing the form at http://www.portsmouthbookfest.co.uk/contact-us/.

The Box Office is now open on 023 9268 8037 or buy tickets direct from Central, North End or Southsea Libraries or The Hayling Island Bookshop on 023 9246 6620.

You can view the full Programme here BookFest booklet-web.

The bookfest blog is available with further information and news at http://www.portsmouthbookfest.co.uk.

Local Democracy Week

14th - 20th October 2013

“European Local Democracy Week” (ELDW) is an annual European event where local authorities from all the 47 member states of the Council of Europe organise public events to meet and engage with their citizens on issues of current interest. The aim is to promote and foster democratic participation at a local level through public initiatives which involve citizens.

This year's theme is

Active citizenship: voting, sharing, participating

Activities planned in Portsmouth for 2013 so far, include:-

Monday 14th October         Why bother to vote? Challenge 

Tuesday 15th October        Full Council Meeting: Local democracy in action
Wednesday 16th October   Healthwatch Launch event and Patient Engagement Debate

Wednesday 16th October   Portsea Island Discs with Lord Mayor 

Thursday 17th October       Lord Mayor’s Schools Debate 

Thursday 17th October       “How Parliament Works”

Please click on the Local Democracy Week logo to find out more detail and to register for the free events