Latest news with #BBCHampshire&
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Labs reopen to study archaeological treasures
The laboratories used to carry out research on some of the country's most significant heritage sites have reopened after a refit. The Fort Cumberland Laboratories in Portsmouth have been equipped with tools to help understand how artefacts are made and how best to preserve them. The site has been central in projects ranging including the re-excavation of Silbury Hill in Wiltshire and studying human remains found at Hadrian's Wall. Historic England said the site "plays a vital role in telling the stories of England's past". Specialist work has been carried out at Fort Cumberland for the past 75 years. The team has helped conserve artefacts from the 18th Century Dutch warship the Rooswijk off the Kent coast and analysed human remains at Birdoswald Roman Fort Cemetery at Hadrian's Wall in Cumbria. The refit of the laboratories has involved new heating and cooling systems. New equipment includes a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometry system (Sem-Eds) for analysing historic materials. It allows for imaging of very small features such as nanocrystals, as well as mapping the chemical composition of a wide range of materials. The system can be used to analyse dental wear in archaeological remains, the causes of bone discolouration, insect remains and historic building materials. Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: "The amazing work of our archaeologists and heritage scientists is helping to uncover the hidden stories that connect us to our distant past. "This new investment in Fort Cumberland's laboratories will enhance our research and conservation work, and improve access to our expertise, equipment and collections, helping more people to enjoy and care for their heritage." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Wood carving is 6,000 years old, experts say Last season of excavation starts at Roman fort Historic England
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
Two die after car goes over cliff into the sea
Two people have died after a car went over a cliff into the sea on the Isle of Wight. The incident happened on Friday evening at Alum Bay New Road, near the Needles. Police confirmed the deaths on Sunday. Formal identification has yet to take place but the families of those who died have been notified. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said it was carrying out enquiries on behalf of the coroner at an address in Cowes. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Man sentenced for attempted murder of woman
A man has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempted murder after his assault on a woman left her with life-threatening injuries. Paul John Watts, 36, attacked the woman at Cinderford Close in Paulsgrove in Portsmouth last October. The woman has has no memory of the assault and is still recovering from her injuries. Watts, who will also serve an extended license period of five years, was found guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday. Hampshire Constabulary said it was called out shortly after 15:10 GMT on 31 October after concerns were raised for a 37-year-old woman. She was taken to Southampton General Hospital with "serious, potentially life-threatening injuries" and discharged from hospital earlier this year. Police said during sentencing the judge told Watts that he left her bleeding and unconscious, and "left her for dead". In a statement read to the court, her sister said: "She will never be the same again because of what Paul did that day, but with support from family and friends, her and her children will find their new normal. "I have no doubt in my mind about how far she has come, the strength and courage she has shown throughout and that she will continue to progress and will not let what happened that day define her." Senior investigating officer Elizabeth Brunt said: "The victim's injuries in this case were shocking, her recovery has been exceptional given the trauma that she endured. "Thankfully she has no memory of what happened last October. "Watts subjected the victim to violence that nobody should have to face and I'm pleased that this sentence underlines the gravity of what he did." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Attempted murder charge after woman severely injured HM Courts & Tribunals Service Hampshire Constabulary: How to report domestic abuse
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Girl's balcony fall death was 'tragic accident'
An eight-year-old girl fell to her death from a balcony while she was visiting her mother's sixth floor flat, an inquest has heard. Minnie-Rae Dunn, who lived with her grandmother in Southsea, toppled over a wall at Pickwick House in Wingfield Street, Portsmouth, in August 2023, the hearing was told. Another girl who was playing with her tried to save her but Minnie-Rae's leg slipped through her hands, the coroner heard. Hampshire acting senior coroner Jason Pegg said the death was a "desperately dreadful tragic accident". Hampshire Police previously confirmed that a 43-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of child neglect was released without charge. Giving evidence, Minnie-Rae's mother Rebecca Dunn recalled how the two girls asked to play on the balcony, which was full of objects including a cushioned seat and bags of clothes. She said: "I did say no at first but I'm a sucker for her eyes. "I ended up giving in and that is the biggest mistake of my life." Ms Dunn said she had smoked cannabis in the morning as well as an hour before her daughter fell at 18:00 BST on 24 August. The coroner asked whether that had affected her ability to look after the girls. "No," she immediately replied. In a statement read by the coroner, the second girl described how she ran and grabbed Minnie-Rae as she started to fall. The girl, who cannot be named, said: "I was touching her feet as she fell." A neighbour, Shannon Crystal, said she was watching the girls when one "made herself taller by climbing on to something". In her statement, she said she later saw that pigeon netting around the balcony was "torn and ripped down" and emergency services had gathered on the concrete below. Concluding the inquest, Mr Pegg said Minnie-Rae had fallen after standing on an object "so that her waist was above the wall of the balcony". In a handwritten statement following the inquest, Ms Dunn said her daughter was a "happy, lovable, sassy little girl". She added: "She was loved by all that met her... Her passing had and continues to have a massive impact on our lives. "Her smile was just as bright as the sun. We will have to love you from afar, but that love will never, never stop." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. No further action after girl dies in balcony fall Tribute to 'angel' girl who died in balcony fall Woman bailed after girl dies in tower block fall Hampshire Coroner's Service
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged with murder and rape of woman in 2023
A man has been charged with the murder and rape of a woman who was found dead in 2023. Hampshire police previously said officers were called at 11:30 GMT on 28 December to a report of a body at a property in Nevinson Way, Waterlooville. Joanna Derkacz, 37, was later pronounced dead. Police said Stephen Sexton, 37, of Cherrywood Gardens, Totton, had been charged following a detailed investigation into the circumstances. He is due to appear before Southampton magistrates on Saturday. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
