Ronald Allison: A tale of two cities (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Ronald Allison: A tale of two cities

4:41pm Wednesday 22nd August 2007 in

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BACK in Winchester after a few days in Edinburgh, I have found myself thinking quite seriously about the two cities - I've really had little choice; both are such compelling places.

In a sense though, it's not a case of comparing apples with apples. Certainly there is no point in thinking that one day Winchester could rival the Scottish capital as the host of an international festival or an annual Military Tattoo.

Equally, it would be foolish to believe that the city can continue to rely indefinitely on the cathedral, the college and the castle to attract a never-ending flow of international tourists.

Even an attachment to Jane Austen will not be enough.

However, I see no reason to think that those in authority are thinking like that. In fact, the very opposite.

Take for instance the young university. That will surely flourish and develop its own specialist reputation, perhaps for the English language.

Then out towards Alresford, Intech is developing as a must-visit' centre for anyone with even only a passing interest in science and the new technologies, to say nothing of the heavens above us!

Meanwhile, back in the city itself, the new Discovery Centre is clearly going to be an outstanding building with the capacity to bring a huge range of exhibitions, displays and other events to the county in a fine new setting.

All of these, with other planned developments, should attract many more than those currently drawn to the old capital' while on the London- Stonehenge-Salisbury-New Forest circuit.

Just add a bit of Edinburgh verve, though, as far as I am concerned, go easy on the piper on every corner!

One other factor in Winchester's favour - the whole of Hampshire's in fact - is Southampton Airport, a fine example of how good a comparatively small provincial airport can be.

We travelled to and from Scotland by air, and although on the return journey we were four hours late in taking off, there was always the comforting thought that we would be arriving at Southampton, not Heathrow.

I can't over emphasise how good it is to see your bags on the way to the terminal, even as you are leaving the aircraft.

As I explained to our somewhat fed-up son, delays due to first, "the late arrival of the incoming aircraft", then "a technical fault", before, finally, "waiting for the tow-truck" can happen to any airline.

And after all, FlyBe do sponsor the Saints, but we won't go there - at least not until there is a point or three in the bank!

Broadcaster and journalist Ron Allison lives in Winchester, and is an ex-official spokesman for HM The Queen.