Portsmouth June 2020 review – Shops reopen after lockdown and heatwave brings crowds

Not only did the country experience a short heatwave, which saw crowds flock to the coast, it was also the first lowest month for coronavirus infections since the pandemic began.

The combination of low rates and a need to boost a lagging economy saw restrictions relaxed and shops begin to open, as well as gatherings of up to six people allowed outside.

In Portsmouth, like many other coastal towns and cities, a surge of people descended, all eager to enjoy themselves and make the most of the good weather.

Inevitably, with such a large number of people with pent up frustrations gathering in one place, trouble broke out and warnings were issued as gangs of teenagers flouted rules to behave badly and tombstone into the Solent, and congregated in large and sometimes violent groups on Southsea Common.

These gatherings also saw other antisocial behaviour take place, the worst case being when a 20-year-old woman was attacked on June 17 and left with serious head injuries after a fight broke out over laughing gas.

The shocking incident was filmed by onlookers and shared online, attracting more than a million views by the time the case went to court in November.

The attackers - Daisy Hunt, 22, of Berkshire Close, Landport and her aunt Minnie-Mo Hunt, 25, of High Street, Cosham - were caught on camera as they beat the victim, and Daisy was seen stamping on her head.

Daisy pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and Minnie-Mo was found guilty of the less serious charge of assault. They will be sentenced together on January 8.

Further anti-social gatherings took place, and further outrage was caused when a war memorial honouring Royal Navy heroes on Southsea Common was used as a toilet by drunken yobs on June 20.

The bad behaviour escalated to such a level that a dispersal order covering Southsea Common and the Hot Walls was brought in by police on June 24.

As the temperatures rose, the crowds continued to flock to the seaside, and on June 25, the hottest day of the year so far, the temperatures topped 30C and thousands of people were pictured at the beach.

As well as locals, the good weather and loosened regulations saw a boom in tourists, with staycations attracting attention.

Quarantine rules, which meant people were forced to self-isolate for 14 days on their return from foreign countries, came in, further boosting Britain’s tourist industry.

People were frantically booking any available UK break, with holiday parks such as Haven announcing their reopening.

It was not just holiday parks reopening, places such as Gunwharf Quays opened on June 15, with new social distancing measures in place, such as queuing systems, hand sanitizer stations and limited numbers.

People flocked back to Portsmouth's Commercial Road. Huge queues were captured waiting for Primark, one of Portsmouth's largest high street stores, to open.

And there was much excitement as McDonald’s reopened its drive-thrus, causing traffic tailbacks as people queued in their cars to get their first burger fix in months.

Pompey fans were given a ray of hope, as plans were made to start reintroducing crowds back into football stadiums.

A general feeling of joy, and of normality returning, reigned throughout June, and The News celebrated the arrival of 100 babies born throughout lockdown with two picture galleries.

However, it was not all sunshine and lightness, racism was thrown into the spotlight by the Black Lives Matter movement, protests took place across the country, including in Portsmouth, and scrutiny was heaped on to people in public roles.

On June 3, Portsmouth politician and Conservative councillor for Eastney & Craneswater Linda Symes came under fire for sharing racist social media posts.

In the courts, Joseph Smith, 51, from Overton Crescent, Leigh Park was jailed for 27 months for controlling and coercive behaviour, and 12 months for actual bodily harm, against his partner.

The fire service was also kept busy, with fires on June 3 at The Wonderful Eat Chinese takeaway, in Copnor Road, then on June 17 they were called to the amusements in Commercial Road and on June 26 to a huge house fire in Kent Road, Southsea.

In defence news, there were fresh calls made to save Royal Navy destroyer HMS Bristol from being scrapped. Campaigners wanted to see her turn into a museum. Portsmouth also regained its Queen as Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth returned to its city home.

At sea, the Royal Navy's most deadly frigate HMS Lancaster flexed her military muscle in gun tests at sea. And Portsmouth-based offshore patrol ship HMS Severn returned to operational status after being axed from the navy in October 2017 and then saved from the scrapyard by former defence secretary Gavin Williamson in November 2018, alongside two of her sister ships.

To end on a lighter note, Queen Alexandra Hospital consultant Clare Bradley brought a smile to our faces when she won The Great British Sewing Bee.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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