Wednesday, 05 June 2013

The new Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth will bring huge economic, heritage and educational benefits to Hampshire as a whole according to Hampshire County Council Leader, Councillor Roy Perry who has welcomed the opening of the landmark venue.

The £35million Museum received funding support from the County Council in 2009-10 with a contribution of £1million towards building and equipping the new venue. Now open to the public following its official launch last week, Councillor Perry believes the Museum will not only attract tourism from across the globe, but will also act as valuable educational resource for school children from across Hampshire who will be able to benefit from the world-class learning resource provided by the new centre of excellence for Tudor History, which houses 19,000 artefacts recovered from the site of the historic ship wreck.

The Mary Rose collection is historically unique and internationally significant, as recognised by renowned experts and academic institutions. She is the only recovered sixteenth century ship in the world and is in effect a 'time capsule' of a period of English history. The Mary Rose Museum is therefore a key attractor within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which in turn is of key strategic importance to both Portsmouth and Hampshire's overall £2.3 billion tourism economy.

Cllr Perry said: "The whole of Hampshire will benefit from the new Mary Rose Museum and the County Council's contribution towards it is a significant investment in Hampshire's cultural legacy and future economic prosperity. We are a naval county and very proud of that part of our heritage, and this new world-class venue will allow this extraordinary ship and all her treasures to be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

"As a major international cultural tourist attraction and educational venue, the Museum will also give children from Hampshire's schools and beyond, a unique opportunity to learn about this chapter of Hampshire's naval history, allowing them to immerse themselves in the environment of a Tudor warship, and handle and interact with various exhibits.

"The Museum will also help Portsmouth Harbour develop its importance as a cultural destination which will in turn improve the wellbeing and quality of life of Hampshire residents. It will contribute to the regeneration of Gosport and its proud seafaring heritage, as visitors to Portsmouth are encouraged to cross the harbour to visit other naval museums in Gosport, and in turn boost local trade.

"Meanwhile, as one of only two British warships to survive the First World War, enemy action in the Gallipoli campaign, and the ravages of time, we hope that HMS M33 may also one day become just as famous as the Mary Rose, now that it has been rescued from oblivion by the County Council. The vessel is set to become another popular public attraction at Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard, particularly as the nation remembers the 1914-18 War during next year's centenary commemorations."

The Trust's Learning and Outreach programme has been considerably strengthened over the last few years, especially in Hampshire. Work to date includes a major exhibition at the Willis Museum Sainsbury Gallery, and a programme of outreach taking the Mary Rose story to a variety of community groups across the county, with particular emphasis on engaging adult groups with special access needs. The new Museum will deliver a unique opportunity for Hampshire schools to participate in a history and science programme of national excellence. Hampshire County Council Arts and Museums works closely with the Mary Rose Trust to support delivery of this work.

• The Mary Rose

Thursday, 04 April 2013

Why not take a tip from the 2013 'Defence of the Realm' pocket guide and visit one of Hampshire's many military heritage sites this year.

Packed with over 80 great events and 30 sites including castles, historic ships, museums, special displays and exhibitions, the pocket guide is available free from Tourist Information Centres, by calling 01271 336136 or ordering on-line from the Defence of the Realm website. It also includes discount vouchers so visitors can make savings of up to 20% on normal admission fees.

Sites included in the guide range from Buckler's Hard in Beaulieu whose updated Maritime Museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary and the Royal Military Police Museum near Fareham, to the Royal Armouries Fort Nelson in Fareham and Basing House Ruins in Basingstoke. The guide also includes a comprehensive list of events for the whole year, including children's activities during school holidays, a Model Warship Weekend at Explosion! in Gosport, and a Fun For All Day at the Royal Green Jackets Museum in Winchester.

Tourism contributes almost £3 billion to Hampshire's economy every year and employs more than 60,000 people. Visitors to Hampshire's military heritage sites, more than one million people every year, make a substantial contribution to this total.

• Defence of the Realm

Friday, 22 March 2013

The 100,000th visitor for 2012/13 has been welcomed to Hampshire County Council's Milestones Museum thanks to the hugely popular LEGO®Mania event.

Victoria Hanks from Fleet, visited the Basingstoke based attraction this month (March) with her three children and friends, bringing the site's visitor numbers to over 100,000, to win a Hampshire County Council Culture-all pass worth £75.

The Culture-all Passport gives up to two adults and two children (aged 16 years or under) 12 months' unlimited access to some of Hampshire's best attractions, as well as free parking at several visitor sites, plus access to exclusive offers and discounts.

Mum of three Victoria certainly has a lucky streak. While applying for a Hampshire County Council Gateway Card for her youngest son Seb, aged two, who has a condition called Nemaline Myopathy, similar to Muscular Dystrophy, she found out that she was the 2,000th applicant and won a Culture-all pass.

The Gateway Card is for children and young people who have a disability and/or additional needs and may require support to participate in leisure and recreation activities, are between 0 to 19 years old, live in Hampshire and/or attend a school in Hampshire (excluding Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight as they have similar schemes) and it gives people access to range of short break activities.

Victoria has donated a Culture-all pass to a friend, whose daughter has Down's Syndrome and is due to undergo a major operation.

Victoria said of her win: "It was so lovely because it genuinely added a bit of excitement and a feel-good factor that we needed. It was a lovely distraction for all of us when we had all had a difficult couple of weeks."

Councillor Keith Chapman, Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, said: "Congratulations to Victoria and what a wonderful gesture to give her newest Culture All pass to her friend to enjoy with her family. I hope they all come back to Milestones to enjoy LEGO® Mania 2013 and use their passes to explore all the other wonderful attractions Hampshire County Council has to offer."

The highlight of the LEGO® Mania 2013 event at Milestones is the building of a four metre long Thornycroft truck between Tuesday 26 February and Sunday 31st March 2013 from around 150,000 Lego bricks by Duncan Titmarsh of Bright Bricks, the only certified LEGO® builder in the UK. This will complement the museum's collection of vintage Thornycroft vehicles. LEGO® Mania 2013 continues throughout the Easter holidays until Sunday 14th April.

Milestones has seen an increase in visitor numbers by 11 per cent compared to the same time last year and it is not the only Hampshire County Council venue to set this trend.

During January visitor numbers were up by 47% at Aldershot Military Museum and 99% at Gosport Gallery compared to January last year.

Councillor Chapman added: "These increases are due to popular exhibitions and numerous school visits to Milestones. We are recording that around 35,000 are visiting Hampshire's museums each month."

• Milestones Museum

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

Wednesday, 13 March 2013

An important window into Hampshire's rich military history has been entrusted to Hampshire County Council's Archives and Local Studies service.

The regimental archives of The Royal Green Jackets and two of its predecessor regiments, The Rifle Brigade and King's Royal Rifle Corps, have been transferred to Hampshire Record Office from The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum at Peninsula Barracks in Winchester, where the collection of objects relating to the regiments can be visited.

This is the only regimental archive at Hampshire Record Office, which is located in Winchester.

At a special event to mark this historic moment the Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, welcomed the archive to the Record Office and acknowledged its importance.

Cllr Thornber said: "I am thrilled that the Chairman and Trustees of The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum have decided to place their important archive collection in the care of Hampshire County Council's Archives and Local Studies service where it will be cared for and made accessible to the public for many generations to come."

Lt-General Sir Christopher Wallace, Chairman of the Museum's Trustees, stated: "Depositing the archive with the Record Office has many advantages for us as well as the public. In particular, I know that the collection will be well looked after by caring staff and stored in ideal conditions. This has to be good news for the long term and for all seeking access to it."

Adding this collection to the county's archives reflects Hampshire's long connection with the armed forces. It is also an important addition to the Record Office's outstanding collections dating back to the 12th century, which collectively hold Designated status for their national and international importance.

Researchers will make good use of the material for all kinds of enquiries, from personal family histories, to social and political studies. The archive is excellent in terms of date and scope, from 18th century letters and commissions to 19th century photographs of India and watercolours of The Nile; from war diaries dating from the Great War to more recent oral histories and films. The collection is global in its coverage, featuring Asia, Africa, India, North America, Continental Europe, as well as the UK and Ireland.

The archives extend to 266 boxes, 19 volumes and a leather portfolio case. Hampshire Archives and Local Studies staff are now importing the catalogue of over 36,000 entries into their cataloguing system in order to make it available on the County Council's website.

• The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

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

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

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

Issued on behalf of The Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Dame Mary Fagan DCVO JP

Visitors to the Great Hall in Winchester can now see an impressive six foot diameter bronze depicting Her Majesty The Queen. The circular bronze, specially commissioned in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, was unveiled in Winchester on Tuesday 29 January by His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex. He also met groups and individuals from across Hampshire who took part in commemorating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee over the course of the year.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Dame Mary Fagan DCVO JP, commissioned the bronze from Vivien Mallock, a well known national sculptor who lives in Hampshire. Dame Mary explained it was for future generations to enjoy:

"The Diamond Jubilee was celebrated widely across Hampshire through a variety of events and was enormously successful at bringing together people of all ages. I also wanted Hampshire to have something tangible to mark Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee and commissioned Vivien Mallock to create a bronze bas-relief of The Queen's face framed by the Hampshire Rose.

"The public response was tremendous and I am particularly grateful for the support I received from the Leader and Members of Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council.

"I am thrilled with the bronze. Vivien really has created something very special and it will be a lasting tribute to The Queen's Diamond Jubilee."

The bas-relief portrait projects approximately nine inches from the background and shows The Queen wearing a necklace and diamond tiara. The commissioning of the bronze echoes the previous 1983 addition to the Great Hall when the famous Royal Wedding Gates were commissioned for the wedding of The Prince and Princess of Wales.

The Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber said this was a very special day:

"The bronze is a lasting tribute to Her Majesty the Queen in her Diamond Jubilee Year and is a measure of the high esteem in which she is held by the people and organisations in Hampshire. Schoolchildren and parish councils across the county planted oak sapling trees to mark 60 years of The Queen's reign and a further 60,000 trees were planted in three new areas of Diamond Jubilee woodland that we created in the North of Hampshire and at Manor Farm and Country Park near Botley. I am particularly proud that Her Majesty's likeness now adorns the south wall of our historic Great Hall. It is a huge honour, and is a great privilege to be able to display this bronze publically alongside the Round Table, for future generations to enjoy."

With an impressive portfolio of work to date, Vivien Mallock has completed a number of public sculptures in Hampshire. There are three in Portsmouth: Field Marshal Montgomery and the Soldier of WWII outside the D Day Museum in Southsea and the Golden Jubilee sculpture unveiled by HM The Queen at Gunwharf Quays.

The bronze has been paid for largely through public subscription with donations from many groups and individuals across the county, together with support from Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council

• The Great Hall

Friday, 11 January 2013

Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Keith Chapman will be asked to consider the budget for delivering arts, museums, libraries and countryside services across Hampshire in the year ahead, at his Decision Day on 21 January 2013.

The budget report for 2013/14 sets aside £22.356million to continue to provide these services, as well as provide the various grants awarded to cultural, community and recreational organisations in Hampshire. The efficiencies that need to be made for 2013/14 are aimed at avoiding impact on services to the public at the Council's libraries, museums, arts centres, and country parks.

Early and decisive action taken by Hampshire County Council to respond to the national deficit reduction programme, achieved savings of £100million over the last two years, putting the Council in a strong position to tackle future funding challenges, which are expected to be even tougher from 2015/16.

The report sets out how Culture and Recreation services will tackle further efficiencies to reduce their budgets by two per cent to help meet the major pressures and demands.

Like other services, the next two years will be used to further develop new ways of working for Culture and Recreation services, transforming the way some of these services are delivered to make them more sustainable so that Hampshire residents can continue to receive the quality services they need, at lowest cost.

Ongoing support from the volunteers who operate in Hampshire's community museums, libraries and the countryside, and help deliver various cultural and recreational services, will continue to be extremely valuable in future. Meanwhile, providing residents with ongoing and improved access to Hampshire's beautiful countryside and its 2,900 miles of footpaths, will remain a key priority for the County Council in the year ahead.

The majority of savings will come from the Library Service as a result of staff vacancies that will not be filled. More modern and innovative services to the public will also be provided, with the introduction of self-service machines in Hampshire's libraries, for example, to free up staff time to help customers. In addition, greater use of web-based services including online book renewals and reservations will be on offer. An increase in library charges, including library fines is not being proposed.

Among the challenges facing Culture and Recreation services in future, is securing ways to continue to increase visitor numbers and income to Hampshire attractions when nationally, visitor numbers are declining in the current economic climate. Work will also take place to develop more all-weather facilities such as the Play Barn at Staunton Country Park, to allow more people to enjoy Hampshire's countryside venues, even in poor weather. In addition, in the early part of 2013, the Council will continue to explore the potential for setting up a Charitable Trust to support its work, and that of partner local authorities, in delivering and safeguarding arts, museum and heritage services across Hampshire in the future.

• Read the agenda and papers for the meeting of the Executive Member for Culture and Recreation on 21 January 2013

Friday, 30 November 2012

Hampshire County Council will work with community partners to explore the unique discovery stories behind two significant archaeological sites in South West Hampshire, thanks to a grant of £8,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The Council's Arts and Museum Service together with the Rockbourne Community Partnership, will use grant funding from the All Our Stories scheme to bring to life the discovery and history of Rockbourne Roman Villa and the prehistoric complex in the neighbouring village of Damerham.

The Rockbourne Community Partnership of local heritage and learning interest groups, has been working together to enable more people to enjoy and discover Rockbourne Roman Villa. The grant programme aims to encourage people to become involved in their local heritage. Through funding and support, community groups are then able to carry out activities that help people explore, share and celebrate their local heritage.

The project will focus on discovering more about each of the sites and presenting the stories in a variety of ways. Plans include a group of local young people working with storytellers to creatively interpret the information collected by the research team made up of local volunteers, encouraging more local schools and groups to visit and explore the sites, and also increase the online archive of records and photographs of the findings.

During the project, which will see research and events run throughout 2013, Hampshire County Council will be working in partnership with the Damerham Archaeology Project, community organisation - FunQuest, Western Downland School and Fordingbridge Museum.

Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Keith Chapman, said: "Rockbourne Roman Villa and Damerham are two of Hampshire's richest archaeological sites. This project promises to involve the local community to reveal more about the history of the area, and educate others in a fun and engaging way."

Stuart McLeod, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund South East, said: "Clearly the success of All Our Stories has reinforced the fact that we are indeed a nation of story tellers and that we want to explore and dig deeper into our past and discover more about what really matters to us. This is exactly what the grant will do for the Rockbourne and Damerham Community Archaeology Project, as they embark on a real journey of discovery.

• Rockbourne Roman Villa