Winchester Heritage Open Days: 7 days til tickets open for 7th year of flourishing festival - with new energy behind-the-scenes!
Hampshire History Trust (HHT) is thrilled to confirm that, on 9 August, bookings will open for events in the 2022 Winchester Heritage Open Days (HODs) festival.
2022’s events will run from 9 to 18 September, and mark the seventh year that the Trust has supported this thriving celebration of local heritage. This year’s programme includes over 100 events, right across Hampshire – from Alresford, Alton and Aldershot to Ringwood, Whitchurch and, of course, Winchester itself.
Astounding Inventions is 2022’s theme. Highlights include live demonstrations of ‘astounding foodstuffs’ at the Honesty Cookery School, behind-the-scenes insights at the much-loved Watercress Line railway, and trailblazing talks, like Winchester City Museum’s ‘Become an Inventor’ offer for budding young brainboxes. The full festival programme can be found online - most events don’t require booking, but where needed, it’s just a few easy clicks.
This year, Winchester’s HODs programme has enjoyed the unprecedented support of a Festival Coordinator. The appointment of Laura Bennetts, a University of Winchester alumnus, reflects the way HODs – and HHT – is thriving in Winchester.
Laura, 26, was a natural choice to join the HODs team: a Medieval Studies MA student, and a Custodian at the Great Hall, she also plays a key role in HHT’s acclaimed Hampshire HistBites podcasts. Laura is perfectly placed to help weave together the wonderful tapestry of Winchester’s annual heritage celebration.
Reflecting on the role, Festival Coordinator Laura said:
“I’m thrilled to join the HODs team and kick start my career in heritage, here in the city and county where I’ve had so many amazing experiences. I couldn’t pick a favourite HODs event- but this year, I’m especially excited to see the performance of Pedlars and Petticoats on the life of Hampshire-born inventor Hertha Ayrton Marks as part of the Astounding Inventions theme.”
The new energy and experience of the Festival Coordinator reflects the growing momentum in HHT’s work to nourish Hampshire’s thriving local history scene.
For example, to coincide with HODs, HHT’s year-round Hampshire HistBites podcast will kick off its eighth season, aiming pass the brilliant milestone of 9,000 downloads.
Looking forward to this year’s festival and beyond, HHT Chair Nicky Gottlieb said:
“We’re thrilled to have Laura onboard, and to open bookings for a 2022 HODs programme to be proud of. Hampshire’s heritage holds so much more history that we’re only at the start of playing our role in championing. Book now to join us this September for a taste, tour or to turn your hand to a piece of the past. There’s so much more to discover on our doorsteps!”
Volunteers
· Hampshire History Trust is always on the look-out for new volunteers- both for the HODs festival, and for our year-round HistBites podcast.
· Anyone keen to hear more – about either of these opportunities - can get in touch via the Volunteering page
Hampshire History Trust and Winchester HoDs:
·Winchester HODs is one of the biggest Heritage Open Days hubs in the country. Beginning informally in 2016 with a Heritage Open Days programme of 40 events, by 2019, the offer had reached over 140 attractions ranging from chocolate tastings to live theatre.
Hampshire History Trust - charity number: 1191377