Updated! The White Hart is already a place to see the ‘Off the Walls‘ art, some painted bollards, and on Father’s Day 2010, it was the place to create some art ‘On the Ground’!

Many local kids took up the challenge to create some art in the car park – who knew Whitchurch had so many Pavement Picassos?!

Members of Whitchurch Arts judged the drawings. Top prize of a Sunday Carvery for 4 went to Bella for her drawing. Everyone else was a winner, too – all took home fantastic 2nd place prizes, donated by Andy and Julie of the White Hart.

Congratulations!

WADS, Whitchurch’s community theatre group, is performing an open-air production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at 7:30 pm on 22, 23 and 24 July.

WADS, the local theatre troupe, is staging an open-air production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at 7:30 pm on 22, 23 and 24 July at The Lawn – opposite All Hallows Church.

The production features some music composed for the occasion by local popular artist Vincent Lindsey-Clark.

Appropriately, the show at The Lawn will be on the lawn – no formal seating provided; so bring your own chairs and picnic blankets. The show will go ahead even if the sun continues to shine.

Tickets are a bargain at £7, with a consession at £4. Ring 892484; See full details over on the WADS website HERE.

The April meeting of Whitchurch Arts took place on Thursday, 22 April 2010 at 7:43pm in the back dining room of the White Hart. A quorum of coordinators were also present and this was a joint monthly meeting for members and coordinators (committee) meeting.

Present: Andrew Reeves-Hall (chair), Graham Burgess (Director), Eric Dunlop (Treasurer), John Buckley (Publicity), Jude Price (OTW Committee), Steve Miller, Liz Miller, Steve Morris, Jacqui Novis, Rob (from 9pm), Olive (“Ollie”) Bramley (new member joined from East Stratton)

0. Any other business

• May Day on Meadow and GNC
  • Eric Dunlop distributed posters to advertise the May Day events on the Meadow
  • Andrew Reeves-Hall talked about the Whitchurch town website launch and UP movie at the Gill Nethercott Centre
• Compaint about the meeting
  • John compained that there should be more food at meetings, specifically that Steve should share some of his tasty-looking dinner
  • This lead on to a discussion about Christmas Dinners, and that a social event should be planned
• Father’s Day at White Hart
  • Andy has asked Whitchurch Arts to help judge some chalk drawings to be done in the car park on Father’s Day, 20 June
• World Mental Health Day – 10 Oct
  • Jude suggested we look into a show in conjunction with Mind and Together-UK
• Thanks for Trashy Tree
  • Jude thanked everyone for helping erect the Trashy Tree on the Meadow
• Lending Screens to East Stratton Village Hall in October
  • Graham introduced Olive Bramley who asked if she could borrow our peg-board display screens for an art show in East Stratton on 30/31 October
  • Proposal (Graham Burgess, 2nd Steve Miller): Provide screens from Wednesday 27 Oct for 1 week to Olive Bramley for use at the art show provided a sign is put on them to thank Whitchurch Arts (passed unanimously)
• Five Gold Rings
  • Graham is in contact with B&DBC regarding the Five Gold Rings project to support the London 2012 Olympics e.g. Chinese maze in Basingstoke
  • John is considering Five Gold Bollards in Whitchurch to tie in with this project
  • Silk Mill might be doing something with silk ribbons

1. Admire others’ works

• Various artists showed their latest works to the approval of all gathered

2. Bollards update

• John says there are 16 designs in various stages of development, and 4 are ready to decorate bollards with
• Some of the designs were shown to the artists gathered
• The truth about the bollards project is out there
• Andy at White Hart has received permission (and enthusiastic encouragement) from Arkell’s to paint the bollards out front of the White Hart
• John will see if Town Council can approve bollard designs at committee meetings as well as at full council meetings (so don’t have to wait a month between approval opportunities)

3. Salvation Army booklet reprint idea

• Permission to reprint the booklet by the History Society is being obtained
• Salvation Army to march in Whitchurch on 17 July (same day as Carnival Procession)
• Concern raised over printing costs to do it, though

4. Off the Walls update

• Jude thanked everyone for helping with the recent Off the Walls exhibition at the Gill Nethercott Centre
• The White Hart and Bell pub are next to receive art for their walls

5. Finances – esp SEEDA grant

• Eric reported on our current finances; took in some money and gave some out for expenses
• New display stand bought by John is stored in loft of Andrew’s garage, bill for screen given to Eric
• Proposal (Graham, 2nd Steve Miller): Petrol and transport costs for Steve Morris getting the new pegboard screens is £30, no receipt (approved unanimously)
• SEEDA grant requires receipts – given to Eric up to now is £406.29 with further to be handed over after the meeting

6. Close of Meeting

• Rob read a couple of his new poems to close the meeting

This Saturday is an all-day creative affair!

There is an ‘Off the Walls’ art show and a fun-filled Earth Hour event in the evening.

Please join us at 10:30am in the Gill Nethercott Centre for the opening of our latest ‘Off the Walls’ show.   As it’s Green Aware Week, the theme of the show is ‘Green’ and ‘Energy’.   You can also see the entrants in the photo competition.

A special invitation goes out to all business managers to attend the show, as you will be able to select works for display, and possible sale, from your shop’s walls.  It’s a great way to support local artists and bring in some money for your business.

We received a generous support recently from SEEDA, which we have put towards new display stands for use at this show.

Later in the evening is the grand finale to the Green Aware Week: Whitchurch’s Earth Hour.  Once again this year, businesses and families around Whitchurch will be joining the world in switching off the lights for an hour, starting at 8:30pm, for the WWF’s Earth Hour.

Whitchurch Arts is holding a procession and a fun evening event.

The mayor and other dignataries will lead a lantern procession from the Town Hall – meet at 7:30pm.  Bring along a painted, recycled jam jar attached to a stick by some string.  Pop a cancle inside and presto! you have a lantern.  A limited number will be available for a purchase on the night.

The procession will end at the Gill Nethercott Centre, where for £6 admission, you can have a delicious supper, test your knowledge in a friendly yet competitive environmental quiz, and enjoy musical entertainment (including local artist, Keith Bell).

Then at 8:30pm, the Carnival Queen will perform her last official duty of her reign: switching off the lights at the Centre for Earth Hour.

Later in the evening, prizes will be given out for the winners of the quiz, and the photographic competition.

Why not make a virtual lantern now, to get into the spirit of things?

The 2010 Twangfest is having a kick-off gig at the Harvest Home this Saturday, 20th March to get you in the right frame of mind for their main concert festival…

Let the sun shine! Saturday 5th June 2010, at the Testbourne Community School in Whitchurch, will see the fourth annual TWANGFEST roar into action. At least 20 local bands will play throughout the day across two stages delivering an adrenaline buzz for an appreciative crowd whilst also raising money for local charities.

In addition to the two main indoor stages, this one-day festival also features the ever popular open-mic stage; T-tent; dance zone; and enough food and drink on sale to keep everyone happy from 12.00pm-12.00am – all for a mere tenner!

Organiser Martyn Page said, “We’re proud, once more, to be able to lay on such a feast of live music by local bands, for local people, raising money for local charities. Last years’ event was another huge success and this summer we intend to build on that, raising even more money and having a cracking time in the process.

In 2009, the Twangfest Team were able to donate £500 to The Testbourne old folk’s Lunch Club and to the schools’ Performing Arts Department, while the ‘cover the Swimming Pool fund’ received £250. Ex Testbourne pupil Holly Croxford also received £500 to aid her training as she works towards her 2012 Olympic dream.”

This years Twangfest, on 5th June, is earlier than usual and will both kick-off the festival season whilst avoiding any potential football World Cup clashes.”

Confirmed south west act, Le Chat Noir, are fast becoming Twangfest legends with their incredible sound and energy taking the stage by storm in previous years. The band said, “We love the feel of a local festival so we’re very excited to be playing TWANGFEST again this year. We’ve seen the line-up and we know that we’re in good company. Playing along side so many other quality bands really makes you raise your game, so we’re looking forward to delivering the set of our lives.”

TWANGFEST is a one day music event in Whitchurch, Hants providing a platform for local bands and raising money for local charities in the process.

Any bands that are interested in playing this years’ Twangfest should note their interest via the website.

This is a fully licensed event, with Adult tickets costing £10 (or £9 if pre-registered via the website) and U18’s costing £5.