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

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

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

22 November 2012

The archive heritage of Winchester's most famous attraction will for the first time be available to explore online, thanks to the collaboration of Hampshire County Council's Record Office and Winchester Cathedral.

Local residents and historians across the globe will now be able to browse through a catalogue of the Cathedral's archives from the comfort of their own home, as descriptions of 2,000 records are published online, providing a unique insight into the Cathedral's history, and also the heritage of local communities across Hampshire.

The extensive catalogue includes the charters which re-established the Cathedral under a newly-formed Dean and Chapter in 1541, after the Dissolution of the former Priory by Henry VIII, as well as the minutes of Chapter from the Tudor period right up to the twentieth century.

Other archives include the accounts of the monks who worked and worshipped in the Priory before the Reformation, and records of daily life on the Priory's estates across Hampshire and Wiltshire.

More records will be added to the catalogue on a regular basis until the entire archive is available, comprising more than 12,000 individual documents and bringing the Cathedral's history to life.

Hampshire Record Office is also celebrating the completion of the first stage in a conservation project to open up archives wilfully damaged by soldiers in the Cathedral in the 17th Century Civil Wars.

Grant funding from the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust and Hampshire Archives Trust has enabled skilful repairs to medieval parchment rolls. This means that researchers can now handle and study the documents for the first time in three centuries, and that they will be preserved for future generations.

Winchester Cathedral's Guides were inspired by the conservation project and worked to develop a programme of fundraising events. Their donation of £6,550 will now enable more of these important rolls to be conserved.

Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Keith Chapman said:

"This is a wonderful achievement for Hampshire Record Office and Winchester Cathedral. Everyone will now be able to access more information online about Winchester's local heritage and learn more about the history of the Cathedral.

"I'd like to thank the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust, Hampshire Archives Trust and Winchester Cathedral Guides for their support to conserve and open up these historic documents. Through their help important pieces of our history have been safeguarded and further documents will be saved and made accessible."

The online catalogue was launched by the Dean of Winchester, The Very Reverend James Atwell, at an event held by the County Council's Record Office on Wednesday 21 November 2012, to celebrate the partnership. He said:

"It is great that the partnership between the Cathedral and the Record Office has enabled access to archives previously difficult to consult. Winchester Cathedral has a rich history and it is important to be able to share it. This complements the activity of the voluntary Guides at the Cathedral who have been raising money in all sorts of inventive ways, in order to conserve these documents."

For more information visit the Hampshire Archives websites.

8 November 2012

As the nation prepares to mark Remembrance Day on Sunday,veterans of the Great War will be commemorated with an exhibition in Winchester, thanks to a contribution from Hampshire County Council.

At his Decision Day (5 October 2012), Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, awarded funding of £6,000 to Winchester City Council, for their 'To Honour a Promise' Morn Hill Memorial Project.

The organisation will use the funding to honour the 50,000 service personnel of the British commonwealth and American armies, who passed through Winchester Morn Hill Camps, on their way to the Great War in 1914.

Next year, an exhibition will be set up at the City Space gallery in Winchester Discovery Centre for the public to share their memories about the war, collect local stories and educate youngsters about the past.

Councillor Thornber, said:

"Hampshire has a strong military background and the first World War is a huge part of our country's history. Hampshire County Council is proud to be supporting Winchester City Council, to remember those who were affected by the conflict.