SouthseaScene

The Guildhall Trust recently announced that composer, pianist, bandleader and broadcaster, Jools Holland OBE DL is to join the Trust as a Patron and advocate for the Renaissance of Portsmouth Guildhall. As a regular performer at Portsmouth Guildhall, Jools was keen to offer his support to the Trust’s ambitious Renaissance programme of renovation and restoration which will support the Trust’s vision to become one of leading cultural organisations in the country; inspiring, entertaining and transforming lives. To be completed in two phases over the coming years, Renaissance will create a welcoming and accessible hub for the community and provide improved customer facilities, backstage areas and dynamic social spaces. After starting out playing pubs in the East End docks, Jools Holland went on to lead his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and sell millions of records worldwide. He was an original member of the band 'Squeeze' and he has worked with many artists, including St...

There's lots of fun things to do in the city this half term to keep the children entertained. Old Portsmouth photo walkshop for families Saturday 26 October 10-12.30pm at Portsmouth museum finishing in Old Portsmouth. Join experienced photographer Paul Gonella for a family walk from Portsmouth Museum to Old Portsmouth learning how to take great photos of the sights on the way. £6 per person call 02392 83 744 to reserve your space. ABC Teddy Bear Concerts: Bang the Drum! Saturday 26 October, 10.00 am at Portsmouth Guildhall.  Join percussionist Harriet Riley and string player Neil Valentine for a rip roaring ride through the world of hitting things! Tickets £8 from the Guildhall Portsmouth pictures family art workshop Wednesday 30 October 10.30-1pm at Portsmouth Museum Work with Simon Cowper to create Portsmouth inspired collages. Dress to get messy. £5 per person call 02392 83 4744 to book. Time Travellers Show Thursday 31 October 11am - 12pm; 2pm -3pm at Th...

The Portsmouth International Chamber Music Series continues on Monday 28 October at 7.30 in Portsmouth Guildhall with the  Esme Quartet . Formed in 2016 at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne, Germany The Esme Quartet is made up of four  Korean  musicians: Wonhee Bae and Yuna Ha play the violin, while Jiwon Kim plays the viola and Ye-eun Heo the cello. The Esme Quartet has rapidly gained a reputation as a chamber ensemble of exceptional achievement and promise. In April 2018 the quartet won First Prize and four special prizes at the prestigious Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition in London, and in autumn 2018 it became an HSBC Laureate of the Académie du Festival d’Aix. Colin Jagger, Director of Music at the  University of Portsmouth  said "I was privileged to hear the Esme Quartet at the International Competition at the Wigmore Hall 18 months ago, at which the standard was incredible. The Esme were the winners, and were one of th...

Portsmouth's annual fireworks display at King George V playing fields will take place on Wednesday 6 November. The children's funfair opens at 4pm and the bonfire will be lit at 7pm. The fireworks display will start at 7:30pm following the countdown from Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth. This year's display has been supplied by Pains Fireworks and there's also stalls selling hot food & refreshments. Cllr Steve Pitt, Portsmouth City Council's Cabinet Member for Culture and City Development said: "The fireworks display is always popular and attracts lots of people from across the city so get there early to enjoy the spectacular display." Visitors are asked not to bring their own fireworks or sparklers to the display for health and safety reasons. Travel: Car parking will be available at Lakeside for £2 which will be donated to the Rotary Clubs of Southsea Castle, Portsmouth and Southsea and Rotaract. Please avoid crossing Western Road which is a h...

This October the University of Portsmouth celebrates Black History Month (BHM) with a programme of cultural festivals, film, talks and a call to add to the University’s archives and collections in the Library. Black History Month promotes knowledge of black history, culture and heritage, and positive black contributions to British society. In support of BHM the University is supporting various activities throughout the Month, in conjunction with the Multicultural Staff Network and Student Union and Portsmouth Film Society. The University is also signing up to the Race Equality Charter , which aims to improve the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education. Some of the events currently planned throughout the month include: Throughout October, University Library Our Global History archive project The University is proud of its global heritage - but as with so many institutions, it sadly has little recorded black history to date...

As part of its Discovering the Guildhall history project to preserve people’s memories of the Guildhall and the historic events which surround it for future generations, the Guildhall has created a fun memory booth based on an original recording studio, which people can step inside and record their memories to be included as part of a digital archive and potentially major exhibition which is to be launched in January 2020. The venue has received a fantastic response so far to a call-out for memories but it is hoped the booth will capture some more recent and quirky anecdotes from those visiting throughout the busy Autumn season and allow people wishing to add their memories in a more informal way to pop in at a time that is convenient to them. Located on the ground floor, next to the Guildhall’s Square Kitchen café, people are welcome to visit the booth whenever the venue is open to non-ticket holders Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm and Saturday 10am-2pm. Opening times may be restricte...

One year on from opening a natural skincare apothecary on Albert Road, Southsea Bathing Hut is staging a day of celebration on Saturday 3 August. Founded in 2015 to revive Portsmouth’s lost heritage as a soap-making city, Southsea Bathing Hut makes a full range of original skincare products. All are natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and made by hand on the shop premises at 2&2c Albert Road. After three years of trading at events, online and via stockists, the business grew successful enough to open its own shop in 2018. Expanding into the premises next door a year later. This has created space for a brand new workshop, which enables anyone passing to see the small team at work making their products. There will also be a private treatment room offering exclusive natural skincare and well being therapy. On Saturday 3 August, founder Samantha Worsey will welcome the community into her shop for a special celebration to mark the occasion and introduce new offerings. The workshop w...

Expect a great array of amazing ciders and sausages to indulge in on Saturday 21st September 2019 at Portsmouth Guildhall.  There will be a huge variety of delicious sausages and definitely not the standard bangers you would find in your local supermarket. The organisers have sourced the finest butchers’ sausages and those with a little twist. Enjoy incredible live music with the in-house band and live DJ acts, whilst enjoying a pint or two of delicious craft ciders and beers on offer. The organisers really love real cider and have scoured all corners of the UK for the finest cider money can buy and then bring them for everyone to savour and enjoy with friends, alongside great sausages and fine music. Non-cider drinkers need not fear as it's not just about cider at this event! With a fantastic craft beer, a gin bar, prosecco bar and soft drinks available, there really is something for everyone.  The event will be hosted in sessions, of 5 hours each:12:00 – 17:00 & ...

I'm reposting this what's on guide I wrote for the Portsmouth View. I was told it was the last issue and after 5 years writing for it, it's with sadness I see it go.  This weekend marks the end of the D-Day festivities and what a week it has been! June promises a few more festivals for your diary. On Sunday 8 June, Wimbledon Park residents are holding a Jumble Trail of yard sales around the neighbourhood. Sounds like a street party! Soak up free culture on your doorstep and watch The Royal Ballet in a live screening on the Big Screen on 11 June direct from the stage of the Royal Opera House at the Guildhall Square. The Art Society of Portsea Island holds a series of fascinating talks at the Eldon Building, University of Portsmouth, and on 11 June, Chloe Sayer will lecture on Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: The Golden Age of Mexican Painting. As part of Bike Week, Portsmouth Friends of the Earth hosts a bike ride on Wednesday 12 June to meet some of the trees in our...

Portsmouth Festivities begins its 20th year in the city and is set to be their biggest yet. This festival continues to impress with a diverse range of events, many of which are free. The theme for the festival this year is TWENTY to celebrate its formation. Portsmouth Festivities are hosting some of the biggest names in the creative arts today. The festival’s guests this year include internationally renowned choirs The Cardinall’s Musick and the Tenebrae Consort. Other highlights of the Festival include jazz legend Jason Rebello, and Estonian folk sensation Mari Kalkun. It also boasts a fabulous line-up of speakers, including restaurant critic Jay Rayner, science writer Simon Singh, and bestselling author Kate Mosse. Aspex Gallery host Homage, an exhibition of artwork that celebrates the festival’s 20-year history, Hotwalls Studios and Art Space will open their doors to the public during the festival’s run. No.6 Cinema are honoring classics on film by screening three films in their 20t...

Eyewitnesses in Portsmouth in June 1944 tell us that they 'knew something was happening, but we didn’t know what' and they wondered 'where are they going?' Thousands of allied servicemen marched through Portsmouth before boarding ships and landing craft that would take them to Normandy. Many of them would never return. Portsmouth residents are being invited to show their pride for the past and share the feelings and emotions felt by Portsmouth residents 75 years ago by supporting as re-enactors follow the exact embarkation routes marched by soldiers, sailors and airmen on Thursday 6 June 2019 from 8am - 9.45am. The re-enactment will start from the Mountbatten Centre at 8am and follow two routes through the city before meeting at South Parade Pier at 9.45am where a lone piper will play. The re-enactment will be followed by a Remembrance Service at the D-Day stone opposite the pier at 10.45am. Councillor Steve Pitt, Portsmouth City Council's cabinet member f...

Portsmouth will be the focal point of the UK commemorations for D-Day 75. There will be a host of events taking place from 5 to 9 June, including the UK’s national event on 5 June - being organised by the Ministry of Defence on behalf of HM Government and in association with the Royal British Legion. The day will begin with a major national commemorative event on Southsea Common, for which heads of state from around the world have been invited. Hundreds of veterans will also be in attendance, before they head off to cross the Channel for Normandy once again. Due to the nature of this event and the invited guests, security will be high and large areas of Southsea Common will be closed to the public. However, the events will be shown live on BBC, with large screens set up for those who want to make their way down in person. The event will include a naval gun salute fired from a Royal Navy frigate, followed by a spectacular flypast of up to 25 modern and historic aircraft. These will ...

Get ready with your folding chairs, rugs, air beds, and picnic for a superb outdoor cinema experience this summer with Portsmouth Film Society. This year’s season of summer films launches on Friday 7th June with a free family show voted for by the public for the D-Day 75 celebration. Screening starts at 7.00 pm. The following evening, Saturday 8th June, the D-Day film Darkest Hour (2017), with an Oscar-winning performance by Gary Oldman, will be shown at Canoe Lake. Directed by Joe Wright, who made Atonement, another film with a wartime setting, it also stars Kristin Scott Thomas as Churchill’s wife Clemmie. Local MP, Stephen Morgan, will give the opening talk. Chairman of the Society, Cecelia Young, says: “We are very proud to show outdoor cinema in Portsmouth. Last year our events were very popular because the weather was kind to us. We hope it will be the same again. We are also giving free tickets to seafront residents for Darkest Hour (8th June at Canoe Lake) and The Gre...

In under two weeks' time, Portsmouth will mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day with a programme of events in honour of our Normandy veterans. The national commemoration event on 5 June is being organised by the Ministry of Defence on behalf of HM Government in conjunction with the Royal British Legion. On that day Portsmouth will host an international event for D-Day veterans attended by the Queen and world leaders. The official commemoration ceremony will be televised by the BBC and shown on big screens on Southsea Common. It will include a Royal Navy frigate firing a naval gun salute followed by a spectacular flypast of up to 25 historic and modern RAF aircraft including the Red Arrows and the iconic Spitfire. Later in the afternoon the Red Arrows will return for a breath-taking display above Southsea Common. That evening the public are encouraged to wave off The Boudicca - The Royal British Legion's chartered ship - as it departs Portsmouth taking up to 300 veterans to N...

Half term is upon us, and with the weather set to be dry and bright where better to spend the week than in Southsea? Whether you are looking to brush up on your history and culture at one of the city's museums, or to spend a fun-filled day at the arcades at Clarence Pier there is something for the whole family. Clarence Pier Southsea is one of the largest amusement parks on the south coast and hosts arcades, rides and activities for the whole family. If the weather turns there is always the option to head into Pirate Pete's; one of the largest indoor children's playgrounds on the south coast, catering for children and toddlers with a variety of fun, soft play areas. For those looking for somewhere to rest their feet and grab some food, there is also a great selection of food and drink outlets along the seafront and around Clarence Pier. Southsea is alive with history and there are many museums and cultural landmarks to visit including Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, ...

The Portsmouth Chamber Music Series for 2018-2019 concludes on Monday 20 May with a second visit by Ensemble 360, albeit of a completely different configuration. They have formed a piano quartet to bring us two great composers not normally associated with chamber music, Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss. The Mahler quartet is a hauntingly beautiful single movement in A minor, composed when he was just 16, and yet already displaying a sure mastery of the style. The Strauss is a wonderful work in four movements, showing influences of older composers together with a clear sense of his own developing voice. The very sunny and lyrical Brahms A major quartet which ends the programme needs no introduction as it is a firm favourite for those familiar with the classical music programme. Tickets for this concert are £18 with £16 concessions, available in person from the Guildhall or by calling 023 9387 0200. The series, which is sponsored by the University of Portsmouth, will start again in...

As I enjoyed the sunshine during the May Bank Holiday, I made a list of some lovely events you can enjoy this month. The award-winning circus theatre company Ockham's Razor performs at the New Theatre Royal this Friday 10 May and Saturday 11 May. Good for anyone aged 5 and above. On Saturday 11 May Portsmouth Cathedral hosts a Rumfest. Enjoy live music whilst sampling a whole host of different rums, in partnership with the Portsmouth Distillery Company. Portsmouth Light Orchestra is in concert on 11 May at the Church of the Resurrection in Drayton. Tickets £7 from 02392 371135. Flo & Joan are the British musical comedy duo, and sisters, Nicola and Rosie Dempsey. They return for a hometown show at the Wedgewood Rooms on 12 May. Expert Touch Tour guide Jo Bressloff leads a fascinating tour of The D-Day Story’s Overlord Embroidery on 14 May. Spaces must be booked in advance from 02392 834744 or email mvs@portsmouthcc.gov.uk . Portsmouth Films Society runs the Green Festival on 15...

Enwezor Nzegwu is the founder of a new initiative called Be Locals and we had a quick chat with him recently to find out more. Here's what he said: "We're lucky enough to have many fantastic local food producers in and around the Portsmouth area. As a former Great British Bake Off contestant, I'm a complete foodie and into good quality produce which for years I've found it really hard to access especially when we all have such busy lives. Over the past year, I've been really looking into what is available locally and I've been amazed at the quality and diversity of the produce. There's a problem though - many of us have very busy lives so we don't have time to find quality local food producers and local producers don't have the skills or resources to get into the local market. I set up Be Locals to solve this problem, to create a local market that connects local consumers with local producers. Why does so much of our food have to travel...

Bound and Gagged Comedy Presents Sh*t-faced Shakespeare®: A Midsummer Night's Dream “A great night out to get properly pucked up. It’s what Willy would have wanted” Time Out ★★★★ The smash-hit, internationally acclaimed, award-winning, multi sell-out fringe phenomenon is finally off on a UK tour with their version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Sh*t-faced Shakespeare® is the hilarious combination of a completely serious adaptation of a Shakespearean classic, with the addition of a completely shit-faced cast member. With one person from the cast selected at random and given four hours to drink before every show, we present to you classical theatre as it was always meant to be seen: with a gin in one hand, a cup of wine in the other and a flagon of ale at the ready. What could possibly go wrong? This is your chance to see a truly unique adaption of a play Samuel Pepys called “the most insipid ridiculous play that I ever saw in my life” – things are bound to get more ridiculo...

As published in Portsmouth View 12 April 2019 Echoes of Home is the theme of the evening concert by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at the Guildhall with music from Sibelius, Tchaikovsky and Smetana on Friday 12 April, 7.30pm. Celebrate physical format music and independent record shops during the Record Store Day on Saturday 13 April with Pie & Vinyl, from 8am to 9pm. Continental Circus Berlin will be in Southsea Common until Sunday 14 April. Enjoy brilliant circus acts, music and high energy, fantastic performers from all over the world. Portsmouth born Ant Middleton, best known as the Chief Instructor for Channel 4's hit shows SAS: Who Dares Wins, Mutiny, and Escape will bring his brand new, fully immersive show The Mind Over Muscle Tour to the Guildhall on 15 April, 7pm. Join The Elizabeth Foundation’s Community Fun Day on 17 April, 1-3pm, with activities for the whole family. Take a walk with baby alpacas Pippin and Nugget, take part in a variety of activities or si...

The Flying Scotsman locomotive will be in Corfe, in the station yard, for another two weeks. You can pre-book tickets @ £7.50 for a footplate visit (talk to the engine crew, have all the levers and dials explained, ask questions and walk through the secret tunnel through the tender to allow crews to be changed without stopping the train). It's great! You can also get a ticket for £20 which includes the Scotsman tour and a ride up and down the line. Or, you can get a very good look at the locomotive for free from the station platform. Check details on www.swanagerailway.co.uk Portchester Beer Festival is back with its mix of local and national real ale, food and entertainment this Saturday 13 April. With over 30 real ales, ciders and perrys to choose from, as well as Prosecco cart, there is something for everyone to try. This year there is Dave Barrett taking over the Afternoon Session & The Damiain Lodrick Band rocking the Evening Session. The new Gourmet Build a Burger will ...

Here's my review of places to go for lunch around the Guildhall. The Square Cafe Inside the Guildhall, the selection of pizza at this cafe is good value at £4.50. Our favourite is the Greek one with spinach, red onion and Feta cheese. A good selection of cakes also available with the usual selection of coffee. It can get quite crowded during lunch time. Canvas Cafe Tucked inside the Portsmouth & Southsea Station it's worth a trek for the best coffee and cakes. They come from Bread Addiction. Andre's Food Bar Everything looks good in this branch of the well-known family run cafe. The menu tends to be adventurous and there are daily specials too. Not many seats available. 113 Kitchen & Bar On the site of a formerly bustling cafe, this joint is also serving mainly pizza. The decor is a little sparse and grey but the food is good. We can also recommend the calamari starter. Leilamezze Occupying the former Old Vic Pub the Lebanese mezze place is becomin...

Following the revelations about the racial and cultural diversity of the crew of the Mary Rose seen on Channel Four’s documentary Skeletons of the Mary Rose: The New Evidence, the Mary Rose Museum has planned an Easter jam-packed with events to celebrate, between 6 and 22 April 2019. King Henry VIII himself will be gracing his favourite warship with his presence at various points in the holidays, bestowing guests with royal blessings or condemning them to death, depending on his will and whim. Visitors can join Henry VIII for a Royal Audience and listen to his first-hand account of the dramatic sinking of the Mary Rose. There has also been a rumour that the King’s sixth and last long-suffering wife, Katherine Parr, will pay a visit (perhaps for some respite from caring for her ailing and gouty husband). Sir Charles Brandon will also be stopping by to admire his brother-in-law’s ship. The royals and visitors will also have a chance to admire The Many Faces of Tudor Britain, an...

Children and young people came together on Wednesday 13 March at Portsmouth's Guildhall for an evening of music, drama and dance. Soundsational was a celebration of musical talent in Portsmouth and it was an opportunity for the young performers to take to the stage in front of enthusiastic audience of friends, families and members of the public. In the company of the Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor David Fuller, schools and colleges from across the city performed a variety of familiar songs, stage hits and extracts from musicals. Elton John's Circle of Life, Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me Kate and songs from Fame were just some of the songs performed alongside music from the Kings of Leon, Nirvana and Foo Fighters. The stage was packed with rock bands, choirs, dance groups and the audience were delighted by the eclectic mix of music that left everyone wanting more. Cllr Suzy Horton from Cabinet Member for Education said after the show: "It's been an incredible ...

As appeared in Portsmouth View March 2019 British Science Week will be celebrated across the UK from Friday 8 to Sunday 17 March and not least in Portsmouth. There are activities sponsored by the British Science Association Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Branch of which I am a volunteer. Catch artist Immy Smith and her sciart at the aspex gallery Family Saturdays on 9 March from 11am until 1pm. The unique workshop is led by local artists Bethia Wentworth and Jordan Baines and it’s free. On Wednesday 13 March, one the Thai boys rescue divers will be in Portsmouth to talk about his experience. Jason Mallinson is also an alumnus of the University of Portsmouth. This free event is held at the King’s Theatre, 6pm. For your ticket, go to port.ac.uk/events Join the Skeptics in the Pub at The Rifle Club in Fratton on 14 March at 7pm. James Williams, Lecturer in Education at University of Sussex will talk about Alfred Wallace who famously sent Charles Darwin an outline of the theory of e...

Portsmouth City Council is backing plans for volunteers to plant more than 100 trees to mark 100 years since some women first got the vote. The trees are to be planted around Portsmouth by local people, the authority and community groups to mark the success of the suffragette movement as part of International Women's Day. The ‘Vote 100, Plant 100’ project was established by Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan with trees donated by The Tree Council and Rotary Club and support from the city council and local residents’ groups. The planting is being carried out in collaboration with the Charles Dickens Community Orchards project and tree wardens with the council ensuring trees are planted in the North of the city. It is hoped the project, which began successfully in 2017, will follow the Charles Dickens Trail and expand throughout the city in future. The Trail is a walking route in Portsmouth, the city of Dickens' birth, and takes in 15 attractions linked to the great writer, incl...

Henry VIII loved his mum, Elizabeth of York, but she never got to see his pride and joy – the Mary Rose. Treat your mum this Mother’s Day and bring her to see his historic flagship for free. Join Henry this Mother’s Day weekend for an unforgettable family day out. Explore his famous warship and the fascinating Tudor artefacts that were unearthed from the depths of the Solent, after more than 400 years in the seabed. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet King Henry himself as he regales visitors with stories about his own mother, his time on the throne, and the dramatic sinking of the Mary Rose. Kids can create a handmade card and a unique Tudor petal cushion gift, using traditional ingredients like dried lavender and roses that could have been picked in a Tudor garden. Plus, mums go free to the Mary Rose all Mother’s Day weekend. Simply purchase your tickets for the 30th or 31st online from 1st – 30th of March to redeem a free mum’s ticket with your visit. For furthe...

Not just anyone can direct a show, let alone someone who admits that only three years ago she was so scared of auditioning for her BA (Hons) Musical Theatre degree course that she nearly didn’t go through with it. The then twenty year old Bethan Roscoe sat at the coffee shop opposite the White Swan Building and contemplated telling her mum that she had failed. Luckily Bethan decided to brave it out and now she says coming to study at Portsmouth was the best decision she has ever made in her life. Braving it out seems to have become her motto and at university Bethan began to branch out of her comfort zone to better herself. She has directed youth productions of Bugsy Malone and Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat back home and really enjoyed it. Directing the University of Portsmouth Dramatic and Musical Society’s annual show just felt like the next step. If the shoe fits, then wear it! Bethan is very excited to bring her version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella to lif...

University of Portsmouth’s Equality and Diversity Champion, Professor Sherria Hoskins, will be opening the Pride LGBTQ+ Film Festival on Wednesday 6 February, 7 pm, in Eldon Building screening room 1.10. A selection of films have been put together to explore this year’s theme of Peace, Activism and Reconciliation with the support of the Portsmouth Film Society (PFS) “We believe in the power of film to raise awareness and bring about positive change in society”, says Cecilia Young, chairperson of the Portsmouth Film Society. Postcards from London (2018) opens the festival with the story of a young man on a journey to self discovery when he went to London in search of a job. Anchor and Hope (2017) explores the life of a couple who want to have a baby and find themselves facing a number of conflicting and difficult decisions. Following the film, Dr Deborah Shaw, Reader in Film Studies at the University of Portsmouth, will lead a panel discussion on the issues raised. A Moment in the...

Following its hugely successful introduction last year, The Big Mouth Comedy Festival returns to Portsmouth Guildhall from 1st – 8th March in what is set to be a fine four days of folly, frivolity and tomfoolery guaranteed! Opening the Festival on Friday 1st March is a headline night with absurdist genius Milton Jones supported by one of the finest female comics at work, Jo Caulfield, one of the best young comedians around; Ivo Graham and nominee for Edinburgh Comedy Festival’s award for Best Show, Larry Dean. Enjoy 6 hours of comedy madness on Saturday 2nd March featuring Q&As hosted by the voice of Plusnet, Craig Murray, with two of TV’s comedy legends; star of Men Behaving Badly, Neil Morrissey and Cold Feet’s John Thomson. Plus the Best of the Fringe with some of the biggest stars from Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, Comedy Central and more including Geoff Norcott, Ivo Graham, Dane Baptiste, Nigel Ng, John Moloney and returning for a second slot, Larry Dean. On thi...

The Royal School of Needlework (RSN) is collaborating with The D-Day Story in Portsmouth to teach a series of classes inspired by the 272 foot ‘Overlord Embroidery’ at the museum. The embroidery was stitched by a team of 20 specialist embroiderers at the Royal School of Needlework, taking over five years to create and completed in January 1974. It was commissioned by Lord Dulverton of Batsford to commemorate D-Day (the Allied landings to liberate occupied France, on 6 June 1944) and the subsequent Battle of Normandy (through to the end of August 1944). The Royal School of Needlework will teach classes specially designed for the D-Day Story. The classes will run on 22 March (Appliqué), 24 May (Blackwork) and 5 July (Goldwork). Each class costs £84 (plus a kit cost of £25) from 10.45am-4.45pm. Students will also have the opportunity to view the ‘Overlord Embroidery’ during the day. To book your place, please visit www.royal-needlework.org.uk or call 020 3166 6932. Dr Susan Kay-Wil...

The Guildhall is hosting a free event to celebrate the cultural and creative industries in the city on Thursday 31 January from 8:30am-1pm at Guildhall Studio, Portsmouth Guildhall. At the event, Cllr Steve Pitt,Cabinet Member for Culture Leisure and Sport at Portsmouth City Council, will talk about the importance of cultural and creative industries for the region's economic growth while Professor Trevor Keeble from the Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries at the University of Portsmouth will talk about employment and enterprise in the UK Creative Industries and in Portsmouth. There will also be key note speakers from successful international creative film, design and music industries who will be sharing their experiences, discussing future challenges and how we shape future growth in the city. Cllr Steve Pitt said: "There's a huge amount of creativity in the city and many cultural and creative industries to celebrate including literature, film and music, art, ...

Development funding of £32,100 has been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund to help St Mary’s Church progress its plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant in 2019. Come along for a glass of wine, a chat about The Organ Project and a tour of the Walker organ at  St Mary’s Church , Fratton Road, Portsmouth, PO1 5PA on Thursday 10 January 2019 from 1930 to 2130. The event is free with a retiring collection in aid of  The Organ Project . The Organ Project celebrates the heritage associated with 125 years of music making in St Mary’s Church, Portsea. The unique 1889 Walker pipe organ is at the heart of life within the Parish, but is now in a critical condition where interim repairs are no longer sufficient to keep the nationally significant instrument from being lost. The project will engage with local communities, develop volunteer skills and enthuse visitors with an exciting activity and education programme, interpret the organ’s history, science, sound and functi...