Friday, 22 March 2013

LEGO fans are in for a treat this Easter when the new LEGOMania Trail is launched across Hampshire.

Building on the continued success of LEGO®Mania 2013 at Hampshire County Council's Milestones Museum in Basingstoke, for the first time a LEGOMania Trail will run from Thursday 28 March to Sunday 9 June.

The LEGOMania Trail is a partnership project between Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council and Winchester City Council, supported by the Arts Council.

The LEGOMania Trail will see special LEGO scale models of items associated with each site displayed at a number of attractions across the county.

The LEGOMania Trail will be at the following venues:

• Andover Museum of the Iron Age - display a LEGO Danebury Hillfort
• Westbury Manor Museum, Fareham - display a LEGO Portchester Castle
• Basing House, in Basingstoke - display of a LEGO Basing House
• Milestones, in Basingstoke - display of a LEGO Thornycroft truck
• Southampton City Arty Gallery - display of a LEGO 3D floating bridge from the painting by Laurence Stephen Lowry displayed at the gallery.
• Southampton's Tudor House Museum and Gardens - display of a LEGO Sedan Chair
• Winchester City Council Museum - display of a LEGO Roman feast

There is also the chance for talented model makers to enter a competition to win their creation displayed at one of the participating venues. The competition will be open in two categories, for 12 years and under, and 13 years and over. Participants are invited to take a photo of their favourite LEGO model and submit it online. The deadline for entry is Friday April 12.

Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Keith Chapman, said: "LEGO®Mania has been a huge success at Milestones Museum. By working in partnership with our neighbouring authorities in Southampton and Winchester, with the support of the Arts Council, to establish The LEGOManiaTrail for the first time, we hope to provide LEGO fans with even more models to enjoy as we head towards the Summer. This is a fun way of engaging with the County's rich heritage and museums and I hope many people will visit, take part and have fun."

• Take part in the LEGO model competition and find out more about what is happening along The LEGOMania Trail

Monday, 18 March 2013

Lively and innovative geology sessions are coming to Hampshire museums, with activities including a collector's box of geological curiosities, story-telling activities, a geochemical kit, a beginners guide to fossils and a stunning textile geological map of the area.

The activities have been made possible with funding provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which awarded £48,000 to a partnership of museums across several counties in the South East region, collectively known as Rockband.

Hampshire's interactive map, which has lots of intriguing pockets with fossils to explore and discover, was produced by textile artist Jenny Langley and shows many local geological features, including St Catherine's Hill, Selborne Hanger and the 'Sand Boils' at Bishops Waltham.

The new activities will be suitable for audiences of all ages and backgrounds, including audiences with learning disabilities and those who are partially sighted. Schools will soon be getting stuck in at special educational sessions, and members of the public will have a number of opportunities to try out the materials.

Check out the Hantsweb What's on listings to see further sessions as they are arranged, or contact the Museums and Arts Service.

• Willis Museum, Basingstoke, 10 April

Friday, 15 March 2013

1963 saw the first Beatles album, the first James Bond film, the first Dr Who episode and the first appearance of Hampshire County Youth Band (HCYB). To celebrate its 50th anniversary, band members, old and new, will perform at the Anvil in Basingstoke on Saturday, 13 April. The musical programme includes a specially commissioned piece by acclaimed, Winchester-based composer, Kenneth Downie.

HYCB's founder John Knight, now 90 years old, will be conducting part of Saturday's concert. John is one of only four directors in the Band's 50-year history. Current HCYB director, Jock McKenzie, puts the enduring success of the Band down to the wealth of young musical talent in Hampshire and sheer hard work and said:

"Every member of the Hampshire County Youth Band, both now and over the past 50 years, has shown incredible commitment to practising and performing, week in week out. My thanks and admiration go to every one of them and to their parents for supporting them every step of the way."

Councillor Roy Perry, Executive Member for Children's Services at Hampshire County Council, said:

"This concert is an incredible celebration of the lasting success of Hampshire County Youth Band and bodes well for the ensemble's future. The Band is one of more than 70 ensembles, choirs and orchestras that are supported by Hampshire County Council's Music Service. They give young musicians the opportunity to perform regularly at venues across the county, giving great enjoyment to all those who come to hear them."

Many ex-members of HCYB have gone on to enjoy successful musical careers as performers in professional orchestras and ensembles as well as the Royal Marine Band Service. Others have followed successful paths as composers. For many more ex-members, their years spent in HCYB have paved the way for a life-long hobby playing in bands and ensembles.

As part of the 50th anniversary weekend's celebrations Mnozil Brass, one of the world's top brass groups, is performing at the Anvil on Sunday, 14 April. Their performance is already sold out.

For tickets to the 50th Anniversary concert please visit Anvil Arts.

• Further information on Hampshire Music Service ensembles and how to apply

Wednesday, 06 March 2013

Learning goes far beyond the classroom - that's the theme of a conference being hosted by Hampshire County Council to promote outdoor learning opportunities.

Around 100 delegates are attending the conference which is being held at the County Council's headquarters in Winchester on Wednesday, 6 March, and will showcase the range of ways in which the County Council encourages Outdoor Learning.

There will be a series of workshops for the delegates, mostly teachers and other education professionals, to help them increase children's experience of learning outside the classroom.

The County Council offers a host of exciting opportunities for outdoor learning through its country parks, outdoor activity centres and environmental study centres as well as through its Art and Museums service and via the Duke of Edinburgh award schemes which it helps run. In addition to this its architects' department is responsible for award-winning school designs which include purpose built outdoor spaces which encourage environmental learning. Through the Healthy Schools initiative the County Council also helps schools to promote healthy lifestyle choices with a strong focus on health and wellbeing and sustainability.

Keynote speaker at the conference will be Tim Gill, one of the UK's leading thinkers on childhood who has a focus on children's play. His publications include No Fear: Growing up in a risk averse society and Nothing Ventured: Balancing risk and benefits in the outdoors.

Four Hampshire schools will be making presentations at the conference about groundbreaking projects at their schools. They are:

• Park Community School, Havant - developing a focus on the outdoors as part of a school rebuild
• Otterbourne Primary School - transforming a meadow into an inspiring outdoor classroom
• Dove House School , Basingstoke - Special Needs outdoors
• Warren Park School, Havant - Whole school approach to outdoor learning

Commenting Councillor Roy Perry, Hampshire County Council's Executive Lead Member for Children's Services, said: "Classrooms are not the only venue for teaching and learning. The County Council has a wealth of outdoor sites including its country parks and activity centres, which together with school grounds, provide a rich environment for all sorts of learning from physical education, science, art and environmental studies to the less obvious subjects such as maths and English.

"It is important we get the right balance for children when looking at the potential of learning in the outdoors. Of course it's important to consider health and safety implications of any outdoor activity - as parents and grandparents we have to do that all the time with young members of our family. But we must not forget to balance that with the benefits of outdoor learning.

"I hope this conference will inspire teachers and other people who work with children to explore the range of learning opportunities beyond the classroom walls. Such opportunities will not only enrich the development of their pupils but will also I am sure, provide staff with innovative ways to support children's learning".

• Find out more about outdoor opportunities in Hampshire

Thursday, 28 February 2013

With a great range of deals on offer combined with a rich variety of rural landscapes, picture postcard villages and heritage, there are plenty of reasons to visit Hampshire - that's the message of the County Council's new 'Rural Escapes' campaign which launches this week.

Aiming to attract more visitors to Hampshire - the campaign includes a national, targeted programme of publicity as part of Visit England's Rural Escapes campaign funded in part by the Government's Regional Growth Fund.

The three-week campaign includes online information showcasing Hampshire's world-class visitor attractions and short breaks, plus how easy it is to get out and enjoy the beautiful countryside. The website also highlights special offers, available until the end of the year, on bed and breakfast stays as well as animal attractions, country parks and heritage sites.

Councillor Ray Ellis, Executive Member for Economic Development and Rural Affairs at Hampshire County Council said:

"We are rightly proud of Hampshire's countryside, heritage, culture and coast and always encourage people to visit and give a welcome boost to local businesses and take advantage of our wonderful landscape. Born and bred in Hampshire, I fully support this campaign which aims to raise awareness of our country parks, rural attractions and superb food and accommodation. Tourism contributes almost £3 billion to Hampshire's economy every year and employs more than 60,000 people, so is a vital element in our current and future prosperity.

"The Diamond Jubilee, Olympics and Paralympics all helped to showcase the UK to the world. This new campaign gives us the opportunity to keep that momentum going and highlight the special attractions on offer in Hampshire. Our website really does have something for everyone, young or old or in between, and has lots of holiday ideas on where stay, what to do and where to explore, as well as offering reductions on accommodation and entry to tourist attractions."

• Understanding the Regional Growth Fund

Wednesday, 27 February 2013

LEGO® Mania returns to Hampshire County Council's Milestones Living History Museum in Basingstoke this February.

Visitors will be able to view a four metre long Thornycroft truck being built from around 150,000 LEGO® bricks between Tuesday 26 February and Sunday 14 April 2013. This will complement the museum's collection of vintage Thornycroft vehicles.

Hampshire County Council holds one of the most comprehensive collections of its kind relating to the world famous Thornycroft company, that also produced high-quality cars at its Basingstoke factory from 1903 to 1912. The collection includes vehicles, machine tools and equipment, production records and photographs, printed sales brochures and handbooks, family archives and general business records relating to both the vehicles and ship-building divisions.

LEGO® Mania 2013 follows the successful spring 2012 event, when around 36,000 LEGO® fans visited Milestones to see a fantastic scale model of historic Basing House constructed at the museum - a 200% increase on 2011's visitor numbers.

Bright Bricks, who helped TV's James May achieve his dream night in a LEGO® house, will build the model co-ordinated by Duncan Titmarsh, the only certified LEGO® builder in the UK. The model will be built in front of visitors on the indoor 'showground'; in Milestones Museum and displayed throughout the Easter holidays.

Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Keith Chapman, said: "It is a great privilege to have LEGO® Mania back at Milestones Museum. Last year's event was a huge success and for the 2013 event, there are some great activities planned. I hope many people will visit, take part and have fun."

There will also be an array of themed events surrounding the build, including competitions, a LEGO® Minifigure hunt, LEGO® and DUPLO® play tables and a new graffiti wall plus a photographic gallery and exhibition of LEGO® models such as an Olympic stadium. Pre-booked, and pre-paid, workshops offer visitors a chance to build and customise their own Minifigures and to join in other activities. Events will vary from day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the museum entrance fee.

To book tickets or workshop places for LEGO® Mania 2013 at Milestones visit www.milestones-museum.com/lego . For further enquiries call 01256 477766.

For more information about Hampshire County Council's Thornycroft collection.

• LEGO Mania 2013 at Milestones

Monday, 25 February 2013

The successful applicants for the Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme (HTAS) 2013 have been announced with 218 athletes from across the county set to receive support this year.

The scheme, which is funded by Hampshire County Council and administered by the County Council in partnership with Sport Hampshire & IOW, helps rising sports stars reach their sporting potential, and achieve success on the world class stage.

Athletes receive a range of benefits including help with training, equipment, physiotherapy, grants up to £400 and travel. Free bus passes are provided from local bus companies Bluestar, First and Stagecoach, as well as sports science support from Southampton Solent University.

HTAS aims to help with some of the sacrifices that athletes and their families have to make and support them with their dedicated commitment to their respective sport. At a time when costs associated with training and competition are on the increase the scheme can be a vital support on the way to European and World Championships and for some, the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio in 2016. The scheme is seen by many current and previous recipients as a much needed injection of support.

Since it began in 2008, over 700 of Hampshire's most promising sportsmen and women have received funding, including Olympic gold medallist Dani King. Many more athletes benefit from free access to training facilities.

Councillor Ken Thornber, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said: "Following the success of so many Hampshire athletes at the London 2012 Games, it is fantastic to see even more athletes than ever before receiving support from the Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme. The Olympics may be behind us, but they have left an amazing legacy not only in Hampshire, but throughout the country as a whole. The achievements of Team GB Olympic and Paralympic athletes have inspired the nation, as well as helping to change public perceptions around disability, and wider health and wellbeing issues. The Hampshire Talented Athletes Scheme enables promising athletes to achieve their goals by benefiting from first class facilities thanks to support from local businesses. The costs of competing at this level are very high, and the margins between winning and losing are incredibly small. The Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme goes a long way to providing much needed support to the committed, talented and determined sportsmen and women. We are delighted to be helping another group of athletes achieve their goals in 2013."

In the New Forest 24 athletes have been selected from over from 10 different sports. These include Discus thrower Phoebe Dowson who has been English Schools Champion for the last three years. She is currently ranked second Under 20 in the UK. Great Britain and Olympic Handball player Dan McMillan plans to continue to help drive GB Men's Handball forward and qualify for the World Championships. Swimmer Alice Tai qualified for the British Swimming World Class Podium Potential Squad, won nine gold medals at the DSE National Junior Championships, was voted Hampshire and Isle of Wight Junior Disabled Athlete of the Year and was an Olympic Torch Bearer.

In Winchester 21 athletes have been selected from 12 different sports. These include Emma Buckett who is ranked second in the U20 heptathlon in Great Britain. In 2012 she was selected to compete in the heptathlon at the IAAF World Junior Championships and was invited to compete in 100m hurdles at the Aviva Olympic Trials & UK Championships. She also won the England U20 Combined Events Championships in May. Gymnast Kelly Simm was eighth at the British Championships 2012 in the all-round competition, third in the vault final and fifth in the floor final. Annabel Vose sailed her way to third place at the 2012 ISAF Youth Worlds and won the Junior European Championships.

In Eastleigh and Southampton 39 athletes have been selected from over ten different sports. These include Joe Coombs who was English Champion in Canoe Slalom in 2012 and is currently ranked eleventh senior and fourth Under 23 in Great Britain. He has been the British Junior Champion and British Universities Champion four times and was seventh in GB selection in 2012. Jeamy Navarro-Schrank has an impressive medal record in Taekwondo including British National Champion 2010, 2011 US Open Silver medallist and Swedish Open gold medallist 2010 and 2012.

In Test Valley 26 athletes have been selected from over from 12 different sports. These include Badminton player Ira Banerjee who won the U15 National Championships in the girls and mixed doubles. She also won the Swiss Junior International and the U15 8 Nations competition in girls doubles. Goalball player David Knott and his brother Adam Knott were both selected for the London 2012 Paralympic Goaldball squad, with Adam being the top goal scorer. Sailer Matthew Wallis finished second in the 2012 RYA Youth Nationals. His brother Scott Wallis became 420 Junior National Champion in August 2012.

In Basingstoke 29 athletes from 15 different sports were awarded HTAS support. These include 400 metre runner Rob Tobin who was part of Team GB's 4x400m relay team at London 2012, Decathlete Ben Hazell who is currently ranked in the top three in the UK, Gymnast Jordan Lucas who has his sights set on a medal at the World Tumbling Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, in November and Daniel Reynaldo, cricketer for the Hampshire Disability and England Physical Disability Cricket teams, who was part of the first ever international series for people with a physical disability in February 2012 held in Dubai.

In East Hampshire nine athletes from six different sports were awarded HTAS support. These include Paralympic medallist Olivia Breen who won her bronze medal as part of the 4 x 100m relay (T35/8) team. Joseph Brown, athlete and hockey player, who came second at the English Schools Championships in the Javelin, as well being selected for the Under 16 England Hockey Squad for 2012/13. Brothers Hugo and Alex Hammond are both members of the England Physical Disability Elite Performance Squad, Alex scoring 80 runs for England against the Army U25 in August and being England's highest runs scorer this year.

In Fareham, Gosport and Havant 34 athletes have been selected from over 14 different sports. These include Sam Potts who competes in judo for Gosport Judo Kwai and Team Bath. In 2012 he won gold at the British Trials and silver at the Senior Maltese Open. Yasmin Parsons was chosen to represent Great Britain netball in Cape Town for the FISU Netball World University Championships where they won gold. She has played for England U21 in several internationals and in October was asked to represent England Seniors in the latter part of the Quad series in Australia and New Zealand. BMX rider Ayesha McLelland competed in her first World Championships in 2012 placing her number 4 in the world in the 17+ women's class.

In Rushmoor and Hart 36 athletes have been selected from over 14 different sports. Among them is Isobel Pooley , who benefited in 2012. She became British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Indoor and Outdoor High Jump Champion and went on to be named BUCS Sportswoman of the Year 2012. She represented Great Britain at the 2012 European Championships and was the McCain Challenge Series Winner, as well as being selected for the World Student Games in 2013.

• Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme (HTAS)

Thursday, 07 February 2013

From 26 February until 14 April, thousands and thousands of tiny bricks will be taking their place at Milestones in Basingstoke for LegoMania 2013. Lego Minifigures will be popping up all through the museum, taking you on an exciting journey to see some truly amazing Lego creations!

Come along and create your very own Lego Minifigure**, take your place on the Lego and Duplo play tables or even be part of a team to build a four-metre long truck made entirely from Lego.

You can take a walk through space and see Star Wars take on a whole new dimension as scenes are recreated through hundreds of Lego pieces. If you remember when Lego was a few simple building bricks, you will be amazed to get up close with the models on display at Milestones, including a replica of the Olympic Stadium built entirely from the famous little bricks.

Children big and small (and especially the grown ups) will enjoy seeing the magical models created from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. A trip to Lego Mania will have something for everyone.

Whilst you're here, why not visit all the other fascinating things at Milestones, including the Penny Arcade** and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

Lego Mania is a popular event! Booking in advance is recommended.

Milestones Annual pass and Culture-all passes can be used. Workshops must be booked and paid for in advance.

** Selected activities have an additional fee. All subject to availability and change.

LEGO, the LEGO logo and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. Copyright© 2013 The LEGO Group.

• LEGO ® Mania 2013 at Milestones Museum

Friday, 07 December 2012

Organisations that promote culture, community, music and the arts across Hampshire are set to benefit from £1.06million in grants from Hampshire County Council in the next financial year.

At his decision day this week (5 December), Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Keith Chapman awarded £983,117 to culture and community groups, £70,000 to Anvil Arts and Turner Sims (and a further £70,000 for 2014/15), £6,000 to the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to work with Hampshire schools, and £15,000 to help more organisations achieve greater efficiencies and reduce their ongoing dependency on grant funding for the long term.

This latest round of financial support follows an extensive review carried out last year, of all the grants given by the County Council to cultural, recreational and community organisations in order that a more sustainable system for financial support from the Council could be provided in future. In the current economic climate, it also promotes more groups becoming financially independent while better meeting the needs of local communities.

For 2013/14 and beyond, an improved application process has now been introduced that complements the work of the County Council in meeting the needs of Hampshire's 1.3million residents and aims to encourage greater numbers of groups to come forward to apply for financial support.

As a result applications from around 40 groups have been received so far for the coming financial year, among those to benefit are; The Lights in Andover, The Anvil Trust in Basingstoke, Pilands Wood Community Association in Eastleigh, The Privett Centre near Petersfield, Alton Community Association, Forest Forge Theatre Company in Ringwood, and The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre in Havant.

Councillor Keith Chapman said: "We have worked with the organisations themselves and asked them for their views of how funding could be awarded in a more sustainable way to help them in the longer term to continue their work in local communities and how this should be prioritised. As a result, and in recognition of their important role in supporting our work, particularly in the current economic climate, we have modernised and streamlined the Council's grant application system. In this way, we are able to continue to provide these groups with financial backing despite the ongoing financial pressures that the public sector faces from reduced levels of Government funding.

"This new process provides a fair and level playing field for all organisations that apply for funding in future to better meet the needs of local communities."

• A full list of grant applications awarded funding

Tuesday, 04 December 2012

The county of Hampshire is almost £50million better-off thanks to the Olympics, according to a Hampshire County Council report on the legacy of the 2012 Games.

Members of the Council's Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs Select Committee have heard how London 2012 has resulted in huge benefits for the county. Figures from LOCOG and the Olympic Delivery Authority show that 183 Olympic business contracts with Hampshire firms have generated around £36million. Meanwhile with the Olympic Torch having spent more time in Hampshire than any other county, and supported by around 450,000 residents lining Hampshire's streets, the torch relays boosted Hampshire's local economy by around £10million (including Southampton and Portsmouth).

Dozens of Olympic events were held throughout Hampshire; among them was Winchester Live which saw a total of 8,000 people watch the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Games on big screens erected in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral. The event also reported crowds of up to 2,000 people at some of Team GB's key medal-winning highlights.

Around 10% of the total Team GB medal haul in both the Olympics and Paralympic Games came from the 44 athletes with links to Hampshire, whether they were raised in the county, or trained locally. Their haul of four Gold, three Silver and ten Bronze medals in both Games makes Hampshire the second most successful Olympic county, after Yorkshire. Of these 44 athletes, eight had received support from the Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme (HTAS), a Hampshire County Council scheme aimed at supporting talented athletes as their careers develop.

In addition to the financial boost to the county and the Olympic feel-good factor which spread across Hampshire's communities, crime levels in Hampshire also dropped by 15% during the Games. A 10% drop in crime was seen during the Paralympic Games.

Engagement by Hampshire's children and young people during the Games was also cause for celebration; 491 Hampshire schools took part in the Get Set Network - an education programme to celebrate the London 2012 Games in schools. Hampshire teachers took part in a national survey where 91% said that using the values of the Olympics and Paralympics had a positive effect on pupils' motivation, while 75% reported that the Games had a positive effect on improving the school atmosphere, morale and attainment of youngsters.

Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Keith Chapman, said: "The Olympics may be behind us, but they have left a fantastic legacy not only in Hampshire, but throughout the country as a whole. The achievements of Team GB Olympic and Paralympic athletes have inspired the nation, as well as helping to change public perceptions around disability, and wider health and wellbeing issues.

"The benefits from the Games certainly are not over, and as 2012 comes to a close, we are already looking ahead to 2013 and beyond, and the real challenge of keeping up this positive momentum, and continuing to inspire residents of all ages through sport and sporting activity."

• LOCOG - 2012 Olympics

Monday, 26 Nov 2012

Hampshire County Council's Queen Elizabeth Country Park has been voted one of the country's most cherished parks in the annual People's Choice Award public poll.

All Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces were entered into the annual poll, which saw thousands of people voting for their favourite green space. At number eight in the UK's top ten favourite parks is Queen Elizabeth Country Park, near Petersfield, receiving hundreds of votes from local residents and visitors.

Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Keith Chapman, said:

"This is the second year in a row that Queen Elizabeth Country Park has been voted into the top ten for a People's Choice Award. This is a fantastic result for the park, its staff, volunteers and visitors, all of whom play their part in making this a special place."

Queen Elizabeth Country Park is Hampshire's largest park with 2,000 acres of woodland and downland set within the South Downs National Park.

Green Flag Award scheme manager, Paul Todd, said:

"With more than 7,000 votes for the People's Choice Award, it is fantastic to see how much people value their green spaces, recognising the richness they bring to their lives."

The People's Choice Award 2012 top ten are:

1. Victoria Park (London Borough of Tower Hamlets)
2. Warley Woods (Warley Woods Community Trust)
3. Whiteknights (University of Reading)
4. Alexandra Palace Park (Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust)
5. Millennium Country Park (Marston Vale Trust)
6. Valentines Park (Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure Trust)
7. Tipton Cemetery (Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council)
8. Queen Elizabeth Country Park (Hampshire County Council / Forestry Commission)
9. Sandwell Valley Country Park (Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council)
10. Myatt's Fields Park (London Borough of Lambeth)

The Green Flag Awards are given to the best free-to-enter green spaces in the country. In 2012, 1,424 sites received the award.

• Queen Elizabeth Country Park