GHODs announce details of free events programme
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT HERITAGE OPEN DAYS (GHODs) have announced they will be hosting more than 65 ‘free events’ early in September as they join the country’s biggest festival of history and culture; local organisers releasing multiple details of their packed nine day calendar and how residents can book across the borough in a media release on Monday (07/08).
Heritage Open Days is a scheme that allows communities to “join together and celebrate local histories” across the UK; featuring many thousands of volunteers and organisations. This year it has been scheduled for September 8 to 17, and the 2023 edition will be themed around “Creativity Unwrapped”; with planning teams starting work in February this year.
Gosport will have a total of thirty-five new events in September including illustrated talks about local artist Martin Snape featuring original artworks and a tour of the town’s Regency gardens. A hard-hat tour behind the scenes of the Criterion Cinema will likely be popular given recent headlines about its redevelopment, whilst Gosport Pubs will be a hot subject.
Coinciding with the theme there will be demonstrations from two quilting groups throughout the programme alongside a traditional stained glass craftsman; whilst the Submarine Museum will feature the chance to create art based on ‘Morse Code’. There is also the ‘Stokes Road Festival’ which is likely to see a creative performance from dancers and singers.
Twelve events have been designed to suit all families and children alike, which will include an opportunity to view WW2 model ships in action alongside military vehicles. The programme shows there will be themed events held at the Diving Museum in Stokes Bay, the Hovercraft Museum and Submarine Museum; whilst Fort Brockhurst may be joining the list.
Favourites such as the Institute of Naval Medicine, Fort Rowner and HMS Sultan aircraft are set to return for all visitors alongside the self-led trail at Bastion No 1 and HMS Medusa. More events include special tours around a wartime ARP Bunker, Haslar Hospital and a similar walk-about can be completed from the Powder Monkey Brewery in Priddy’s Hard.
Full information on the events can be found by exploring www.gosportheritage.co.uk with the printed programme due to be published and circulated for public awareness by around August 20. Bookings for a vast majority of events are to be made available on August 26 (Saturday), although a small number are non-bookable and people should simply turn up.
Assisted booking is going to be made available for those residents who struggle with using ‘digital devices’ and this can be done by phoning 07849 399 823 or 02392 177 392. Face-to-face support is to be available on August 26 (9.30am to 2pm) and August 29 (9.30am to 12pm) from C2U in Gosport High Street; which can be found nearby to the Travelodge.
PICTURED BY GHODS: Steady stream of people attend one of the annual free events held within the Diving Museum.
