Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust are delighted to announce that they will be bringing their Watercress & Winterbournes ‘Tales of the Riverbank’ Photography Exhibition to the Gill Nethercott Centre, Whitchurch between the 1st February and the 29th April.

View some amazing entries, enjoy the magic of our chalk streams captured on camera and read the inspiring stories behind them.

Entry is free!

Please note that the centre has limited opening hours, so we recommend you contact them to check before visiting www.gillnethercottcentre.org.uk

For full event details please go to the events section of this website.

To contact Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust email: winterbournes@hiwwt.org.uk

Star Count 2022: save the date! Get together with family and friends for the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England’s (CPRE) annual Star Count which takes place between 26 February and 6 March. We were thrilled that so many of you took part in Star Count last year and hope you’ll join us again to count the stars and map the nation’s view of the sky this year. With your help, we’ll be able to identify where light pollution is a problem and where the darkest skies across the country are.

We’ll use this evidence to advocate for better-controlled lighting and offer advice about what we can all do to reduce local light pollution. The best thing is that it’s so easy to take part – you can do your Star Count from your garden, balcony, doorstep or even bedroom window! It’s also a great way to switch off from the distractions of daily life and give your mental health a boost by reconnecting with nature. Sign up Our Star Count activity pack is a free pamphlet to teach children about the night sky and the impact of light pollution. Filled with an array of fun activities ideal for kids ages 5 and up, and a checklist to help you to spot as many stars as possible, it’s a great way to explore stargazing as a family. Dark skies Star Count 2022 family activity pack (cpre.org.uk)

Winter Festival – Light up the River Festive mistletoe arch by day…ethereal River Test bridge by evening… #milltrail #whitchurchhampshire

The Winter Festival ‘Light up the River’ light installation is on display every evening from sunset to 9pm until the 29th December 2021.

Created by artist Raphael Daden, and commissioned by Whitchurch Conservation Group with funding from Arts Council England, the light installation draws inspiration from the spirit of the famous chalkstream river, its riverbanks, which are designated a Special Site of Scientific Interest, and the surrounding trees.

A free, riverside walk along the Mill Trail, a waymarked walk, the River Test light installation is on display every evening from sunset until 9pm until 29th December 2021. It is situated on the Mill Trail network of public footpaths in Whitchurch, on the bridge by Fulling Mill.

Transforming the River Test at night with an orchestrated series of light works that span the bridge by Fulling Mill, one of the historic mills in Whitchurch, its subtly moving sequences of LED light symbolically draw inspiration from the spirit and history of the river.

It encourages walkers and visitors to reconnect with the River Test and combines participation in art and culture with the wellbeing benefits of walking and spending time outdoors as well as a timely opportunity to visit local hospitality businesses in Whitchurch including Kudos Coffee, 909 Bistro, King’s Arms and The White Hart.

Note: it is a muddy, countryside footpath: please do wear appropriate footwear!

The Mill Trail: The Mill Trail is a waymarked walk along the River Test. Find out more here:

https://whitchurch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Whitchurch-Mill-Trail.pdf

Raphael Daden is a Nottingham/UK based sculptor working mainly with light. Raphael has been combining different materials with light for over ten years and has been working professionally on commissions within this time. http://www.raphaeldaden.co.uk

Whitchurch Conservation Group (WCG) is a constituted community group based in Whitchurch, Hampshire. Established in October 2020, the group has over 800 Whitchurch resident members.

The group seeks to preserve Whitchurch’s green spaces, enhancing Whitchurch’s status as an economically and socially vibrant town with a strong rural and heritage identity.

www.whitchurchconservationgroup.org

Belshazzar’s Feast – Postponed It is with a heavy heart that we have chosen to postpone the Belshazzar’s Feast Christmas concert on December 23rd. With 140 people expected to turn up, we didn’t feel that we could operate the concert in a way that would be safe or comfortable for many attendees, organisers or staff. Our intention is to reschedule the concert for the Spring, and we are currently working with the venue to sort out a date.

Tickets will automatically become valid for the reorganised event once it has been confirmed, and we will let you know those details as soon as we have them, at which point you can choose to be reallocated or take a refund.

Many thanks, and we hope you have a warm and safe Christmas.

Sincerely, The Whitchurch Folk Club Team

 A Very Whitchurch Christmas Trail 2021. Starts 4th December until Christmas Day.

Free trail maps will be available to collect on the 4th at the Switching on of lights in the Town Square.

Download a trail map here A Very Whitchurch Christmas Display Picture Trail

Santa’s Tour of Whitchurch – 6th – 12th December 1st Whitchurch Scout group will again be escorting Santa around town in the run up to Xmas…. be sure to give him a wave. Santa’s Sleigh Itinerary Mon 6th – Bere Hill, Station Rd, Fairfields, Kingsley park, Bicester close, Evingar Rd

Wed 8th – Kings walk, Firsway, Rookery, Newbury Rd, Test Rd

Thur 9th – Dances lane, Lynch Hill Park, Hill side, The Green, London Rd

Sat 11th – Daniel Rd, Mcfauld Way, Neuvic Way, The Knowlings, Micheldever Rd, Mill Springs

Sun 12th – Wells Lane, Park View, Bloswood Lane, Richard Adams Way, Hartley Meadows, Ceasers Way

Weekdays starting at 6:30pm and weekends at 6pm