Maydays artstrail 2013

Sunday saw us attending the Forest of Bere Woodturners open day, where we were treated to demonstrations of their skills and examples of their craft. It was good to see young people being invited in to have a go and gain practical hands on experience.

Then it was on to the Hayling Island section of the maydaysartstrail to pay visits to a number of the local artists exhibiting their works over the weekend. We started at the Northney Barn Tea Rooms where 6 artists had come together to use this beautifully restored barn as an exhibition space. As a watercolour artist myself, I was fascinated to see the diversity and quality of work on display at all the places we visited and it was good to see visitors to the tea rooms taking the opportunity to view the art work on display. We did surprise one artist who was not on our itinerary and who we discovered had only recently moved to Hayling. We called at the home of Daphne Bessford to see her watercolours and she was somewhat surprised to see the Mayor and Mayoress stepping into her conservatory! Sorry Daphne – but I do like you paintings!

The artists at Northney Barn with the Mayor and Mayoress

Woodland Festival, Waterlooville – Sat 11th May

As the Chairman of The Friends of Park Wood, Jackie has been planning this woodland event for many months and it seemed very appropriate that as one of our first engagements, The Mayor should be invited to open it. But first we both had to be up early to help the team of volunteers get everything set up, erect gazebos and assist the 35 stallholders to get their equipment into place. While the Mayoress remained on site, I retired to spruce myself up and reappear formally at the London Road gate of the wood to be met by – yes, you’ve guessed it – the Mayoress! She proudly donned her chain over her green Woodland Trust Volunteer shirt.  After a few words of welcome I opened the event and we then visited all the stalls and bands who helped to make it a very successful event. During the day over 800 people visited the festival and the weather remained kind. One of the highlights  was a promenade production of a story called ‘The Giant Menace’, written and performed by members of Havant Dynamo Youth Theatre and using the woodland as their scenery and stage.

Mayor and Mayoress chat to volunteers

A ferret takes a liking to the Mayoress!!

As Jackie had declared that she would be too tired after the exertions of the day, for the evening visit to the Great Hall in Winchester I was accompanied by my daughter -in -law, Amy. This was to attend  a Showcase concert given by Hampshire Music Service and hosted by the Chairman of the County Council, Councillor Andrew Joy.  This was presented as music in the round with performances by some of the outstanding young Hampshire musicians from among the 55,000 young people who are learning to play and sing with the music service. The programme ranged through swing, jazz, steel band, brass ensemble and for me two outstanding performances by a 14yr old harpist – Maddy Hurlestone and 17yr old Christopher Pott on the marimba.

The evening really did showcase the talent that is being nurtured within the county and the commitment and ability of young people who enjoy their music.

Fareham Mayor Making and WWI Remembrance Centre

Our first full day in office saw us attending the election and Mayor Making ceremony for the Mayor of Fareham. We were received in the Mayor’s Parlour, with splendid views out across Fareham Creek towards Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, before proceeding to Ferneham Hall for the ceremony which was followed by an excellent lunch. This gave us the opportunity to congratulate Susan Bayford on becoming Mayor, with her husband Brian as her consort.

In the evening we visited the newly established World War One Remembrance Centre at Fort Widley and were shown round by the owner/curator Charles Haskell. His enthusiasm and knowledge really brought to life the extensive collection of artefacts and memorabilia from the battlefields of the First World War. The montages of photographs and the reconstruction of a trench system give a good insight into the conditions under which the war was fought. If you want to know more, as we prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the start of WW1 next year, the centre is well worth a visit and Charles also gives talks and organises battlefield tours of The Somme and Ypres.