The Hampshire History Trust, organisers of the Winchester Heritage Open Days is pleased to announce that award-winning historian, broadcaster and television presenter Dan Snow has become a patron of the organisation alongside John Pilkington.

Dan said: ‘We are so blessed in Hampshire with a richness of history extending over thousands of years, I am proud to play a part in the Hampshire History Trust to ensure that we understand how that history has shaped us and conserve it for future generations.’

Dan, known as The History Guy, has been a keen supporter of Winchester Heritage Open Days for a number of years, and his appointment forms part of the Trust’s continued drive to raise funds and expand its projects further across Hampshire.

Dan Snow makes programmes around the world on a range of historical topics, from the abandoned Viking churches of Greenland to war damaged sites of Timbuktu. He regularly works with the live events team at the BBC presenting national commemorative events, such as the 75th anniversary of VE-Day and VJ-Day in 2020. He is the host of one of the world’s biggest history podcast, Dan Snow’s History Hit.

Nicky Gottlieb, Festival Director said, ‘Dan has been an enthusiastic supporter of Heritage Open Days and the work of the Hampshire History Trust for some time we are pleased to welcome him as a Patron.

‘We have just come to the end of another fantastic Heritage Open Days Festival and it is wonderful to have the support of our patrons as we plan for future projects highlighting the rich history of Hampshire.’