CROWDS gathered at one of the South Coast’s most important ancient monuments for opening celebrations.

The weekend event at God’s House Tower in Southampton is the final in a series of opening events to celebrate the successful £3.1million refurbishment project.

With performances from the Black Heritage Association Choir, the Chinese Association of Southampton and an official ribbon cutting ceremony GHT Calling brought in dozens of visitors to the 700 year old building on Town Quay Road.

A highlight of the weekend was the first public play of ‘Bloom’ a contemporary art exhibition by artist Keith Harrison, inspired by the sights and sounds of God’s House Tower. Keith - who also made work for the Bargate Gallery when ‘a space’ arts ran it ten years ago - created a vinyl record with the sound of foghorns recorded from the GHT roof. He then plays the record, and the noise - which reaches around 90 decibels, sets off a ‘bloom’ of cactus powder placed on the speakers.

Also on show is Stories Behind the Stone - a four floor heritage experience telling the history of the Tower. Visitors can also enjoy The Moonlight Pethers, paintings which show GHT by moonlight and are on loan from Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council.

Director of GHT and ‘a space’ arts - the organisation behind the refurb project - said: “This weekend is a big welcome to all the diverse communities in Southampton, and a chance for everyone to get to know this new arts and heritage venue. We have lots of things on offer, from art to heritage, a great cafe run by Hoxton Bakehouse and a shop selling Southampton-Inspired merchandise. We’re now looking forward to being properly open and can’t wait to show everyone round.”