Hampshire and Isle of Wight weekly round-up: 16-21 October 2023

Image source, Adam Davies

Image caption, Adam Davies, Mark Davenport and Alex Rawson want to raise awareness of men's mental health

An extraordinary fundraising effort on Ben Nevis was among our most read stories this week in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

A variety of local issues featured on the 大象传媒 News website, 大象传媒 Radio Solent and South Today.

We have picked five stories to keep you up to date.

No fines despite hundreds breaking new national park rules

Image caption, Forestry England said more that 700 people were "engaged with" over their behaviour

No fines were issued during the first summer of new rules against petting ponies or starting a barbecues in the New Forest, Forestry England has said.

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) covering much of the national park were introduced in July, with anyone in breach potentially handed a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to 拢100 or fined up to 拢1,000 if the case goes to court.

However, Forestry England said more that 700 people were "engaged with" over their behaviour.

Men crawl up Ben Nevis on hands and knees

Image source, BACKFLIP_AL

Image caption, The Basingstoke trio used protective equipment, including knee pads

Three men have crawled up Ben Nevis on their hands and knees in aid of charity.

Adam Davies, Mark Davenport and Alex Rawson, from Basingstoke, wanted to raise awareness of men's mental health during their trek on Monday.

Two of the men made the summit after Mr Davies, a former Team GB gymnast, became ill shortly before the end.

Dementia sufferer has nowhere to live, family say

Image source, Family photo

Image caption, The grandfather was described by his family as "a loving man whose Alzheimer's has taken over"

A man with advanced Alzheimer's has been left with nowhere to live after being evicted from four care homes, his family has said.

John Grainger, from Southampton, needs one-to-one care and was looked after by his wife until her death last year.

The 77-year-old does not qualify for council or NHS funding, and the specialist care homes that could help do not take privately-funded residents. The NHS said it was reviewing the case.

Erosion plan turned down for coastal road

Image source, LDRS

Image caption, Island Roads proposed the stabilisation work between Brook and Hanover Point

Plans to shore up a coastal road on the Isle of Wight, threatened by erosion, have been turned down.

Island Roads had proposed a 26m-long (85ft) wall to help stabilise Military Road, with piles drilled 26m into the ground.

Isle of Wight Council's planners said it would have a "significant adverse impact" on the landscape and wildlife habitats.

First oysters introduced to island's harbour

Image caption, The oysters have been reintroduced to the waters off Cowes

A batch of 1,000 oysters have been put in the sea off the Isle of Wight as part of efforts to reverse the loss of the molluscs on the seabed.

The oysters have been placed in baskets hanging beneath a pontoon at Cowes Harbour.

It is part of a scheme to bring back oyster reefs in the Solent, once the largest oyster fishery in Europe.

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