ORGANISERS of Hampshire’s newest arts extravaganza have pledged that the three-day celebration will have something for everyone.

Totton and Eling Arts Festival is being held for the first time this weekend, with a wide range of activities taking place at venues across the parish.

Festival boss Caroline Rackham said: “It began with a group of us putting out a call to see if people wanted an arts fair.

“We wanted to do something that would bring the community together.”

Activities to suit a wide range of tastes will be staged at the civic centre, Hounsdown community hall, Eling Yacht Club and the nearby Anchor pub.

The festival line-up includes separate art and photography exhibitions as well as street art, craft stalls, a sculpture show and dance performers.

Activities will take place from 10am on each day of the festival, which could become an annual event if it proves successful.

Ms Rackham said: “We wanted to bring a network of art lovers together. We’re not sure how many people will take part because it’s never happened before, but at least 20 artists and musicians are appearing.

“Highlights include Courtlye Musik, a group who perform music from the Tudor era.

“The festival will also include plenty of ukulele fun and a family extravaganza, which is an arty party.”

WHAT'S ON AT THE FESTIVAL

  • Friday

Willow Workshop with Rachel Huggett
Time: 10am – 3pm
Venue: Gazebo between Downs Park Crescent and the riverside at Eling
Cost: £25 full day
Artist Rachel Huggett will be leading a workshop on making sculptures from natural materials including willow. So if you’ve always wanted to make a sculpture for your garden or have had a go and want to do more come along. The sculptures made will be on show on the river side at Eling throughout the festival and then yours to keep.
To book or for more information please contact caroline.rackham@virgin.net

Courtlye Musik in Concert
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Venue: Hounsdown Community Centre
Cost:FREE but you must book
Immerse yourself in music from another age! Henry VIII and Oliver Cromwell are notable figures from the Tudor era, enjoy an evening of music that would have rung out in the homes of the villagers of this time. This extraordinary group of musicians play music from the Tudor era. A fascinating adventure in authentic historical music.
To book or for more information please contact caroline.rackham@virgin.net

Band Night at The Anchor, Eling Lane
Time: 8pm to 10.30pm
Venue: The Anchor Pub - Eling
Cost: Free Entry
An evening of local bands at The Anchor. An eclectic mix of musicians will raise the roof as part of the festival. Come along and enjoy a glass or two and listen to some of the best local music.
Saturday 24th

  • Saturday

    Arts and Crafts Market
    Time: 10am - 4.00pm
    Venue: Three Score Club, Totton (next to Library)
    Cost: free
    Who can go: everyone
    As part of the main family day there will be an Arts and Crafts Market made up primarily by local people. Everything for sale has been home made and hand crafted. We hope you will pop in and pick up a one off or bespoke piece of local arts and crafts. Limited tables are still available. Contact Allison@te-artsfest.co.uk for further information or to request a table.

Family Street Arts Extravaganza
Cost: Free
Who can go: Everyone
Location: War memorial car park – Totton
A fantastic big family day of street entertainers and performers, bands and activities and an arts market. Come and try decoupage and ceramics, buy an artwork, listen to a band, write your own poetry, storytelling. Watch the performances and soak up the atmosphere.
Arts and Crafts Market, Street Performers, Dance Performances, drop in crafts, food, drink, music and more. This is all taking place in central Totton in and around the community centre. We hope the centre of Totton will be buzzing with creativity, music and an artistic feast for the eyes. A great day out for all the family.

Totton Arts Society One Day Sale
Time: 10am – 4pm
Venue: Totton Community Centre
Cost: free
Who can go: everyone
Totton Arts Society will be holding a one day only exhibition for the Arts Festival. All the work is produced by Arts Society members and ranges in styles and sizes. Entry is free and most works will be for sale.

Photography Exhibition by New Forest Camera Club
Time: 3pm – 5pm
Venue: Totton Community Centre
New Forest Camera Club will be joining the rest of Totton to celebrate the arts, holding a selling exhibition by some of the club members in Totton Community Centre. prints and cards will be on show and for sale(the exhibition will also be on display on Sunday 25th, 10am – 4pm).

An Evening of Poetry and Music
Time:7:303pm – 10pm
Venue:Eling Sailing Club
The Artful Scribe, The Slow Arrangers(Ukeleles and more) and singer/songwriter Nick Tudgey all combine to produce a wonderful evening of music and poetry. Compere by the Artful Scribe who write and read poetry, the event promises to be a fun eclectic mix.
To book or for more information please contact caroline.rackham@virgin.net
Sunday 25th a day of Workshops

  • Sunday

    Origami - Workshop
    Times: 10.30am – 12, 12.30pm – 2pm and 2.15 – 3.45pm
    Cost: £3 per participant
    Who can go: Everyone
    Location: Memorial Car Park - Totton
    Book this event:caroline.rackham@virgin.net
    This workshop is aimed at adults with the Origami Lady - Brenda Moggeridge, who will help you fold a ‘flower ball’ and ‘kissing lips’ origami from beautiful papers.
    Folders can be complete beginners or have some experience and Brenda will help you through the folds to create your own lovely paper wonders.

Textiles - Workshop
Times: 10am - 3:30pm
Cost: £8 per participant
Who can go: Everyone
Location: Memorial Car Park - Totton
Come along and make beautiful things with community artist Jacqueline Rolls

•  Crochet a simple square 10-11:30pm
•  Rag rug flower brooch 12-1:30pm
•  Peg loom weaving 2-3:30pm

To book or for more information please contact: caroline.rackham@virgin.net

Photography Exhibition by New Forest Camera Club
Time: 10am – 4pm
Venue: Totton Community Centre
New Forest Camera Club will be joining the rest of Totton to celebrate the arts, holding a selling exhibition by some of the club members in Totton Community Centre. prints and cards will be on show and for sale

Lino Printing - Workshop
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2 - 4pm
Venue: Memorial Car Park
Who can go: Adults
Book this event: caroline.rackham@virgin.net
Artist Susan Humphries will be leading a Lino Printing workshop for adults. This two hour workshop will help participants learn the basics of Lino printmaking and with time to make a print to take home.
To book or for more information please contact: caroline.rackham@virgin.net

Ceramic for Kids - Workshop
Times: 10.30 – 12.30pm and 1.30 -3.30pm
Cost: £3 per place per session
Festival Site Memorial Car Park, Totton Town Centre
A ceramics workshop for children at the festival site
To book or for more information please contact: caroline.rackham@virgin.net

Street Dance - Workshop
Time: 10am - 12pm
Venue: Hounsdown Hall
Who can go: Adults (over 18's)
Book this event: caroline.rackham@virgin.net
A fun and dynamic street class for adults with an interest in dance; the class will involve being taught a routine with the opportunity to get creative yourself too! To book or for more information please contact: caroline.rackham@virgin.net

African Drumming - Workshop
Venue: Hounsdown Community Centre
Kwame has been running drumming workshops in the UK since he first came to England from Ghana in 2000. They now have a team of African Drumming specialists able to engage and entertain. The expert practitioners make up one of the most experienced teams of facilitators in the UK - sharing a truly uplifting cultural experience not just drum beats!
Kwame and his team will be holding a drumming workshop at Hounsdown Community Centre on 25th May.
If you would like more information or to book your place please contact: caroline.rackham@virgin.net

African Fabric Printing - Workshop
Venue: Hounsdown Community Centre
Cost: £3
Times: 12.30 – 2.30
Age Range: 7+
Printing fabrics from woodblocks with Kwame Bakoji-Hulme. Kwame will show how to print your own fabric to take away using traditional West African woodblocks.

African Dance and Drumming - Workshop
Venue: Hounsdown Community Centre
Cost: Free
Times: 4.30 – 6.30
Age Range: all ages
Food, as priced, available on the day.
An extraordinary performance event with African Activities involving dance, drumming and music from Africa. Exciting and vibrant and with plenty of chances to join in.

Dream your Dream - creative mural
Venue: Hounsdown Community Centre
Who can go: all ages
Emergent into the magical world of the dream-time with swirls of colour this is your chance to create a magical world of a forested aviary.