THE Alresford Art Society will be opening the doors of the town’s Community Centre to stage its Annual Exhibition next month. However, its plans have been thrown into disarray by the snap General Election.

“Rishi Sunak has done his best to put the mockers on our Exhibition,” said president Sue Gentry. “Normally we would be setting up the exhibition on the Thursday, but the general election means we are unable to access the building until Friday morning, as the Community Centre will be used as a polling station. It will mean a very early start with all hands to the pumps, but we still hope to have the doors open by 10am on the Friday. This happened once before in 2016, when we had the Brexit referendum, and it was a complete nightmare.”
Held over three days from Friday 5th July to Sunday 7th July, some 124 works of art will be for sale including paintings and folios in every medium as well as wire sculpture and even a painted goose egg. Nearly all will be for sale, along with hundreds of cards printed from original artwork.
Exhibits will cover subjects ranging from seascapes to landscapes; from local views and buildings to vibrant holiday destinations and from delicate flower studies to wildlife.
Prizes will be awarded for the People’s Choice (voted on by exhibition visitors), won last year by Jeannie Pakenham’s watercolour painting Owl on a Post. Other categories include best oil painting, best acrylic, best floral, best 3D, best new exhibitor and best watercolour, named in memory of talented Alresford watercolourist Rachel Thomsen.
The ehibition in West Street will be open from 10am - 5pm on Friday July 5, 10 am - 5pm on Saturday July 6 and 10am - 4pm on Sunday July 7.

ONE of the highlights of the local calendar returns this year on Saturday September 7.
Alresford Show has bounced back from the impact of the Covid cancellations.
Organisers reported a very successful 2023 show with its annual report stating income of £321,000 and, after expenses, donations were made to charity of £40,000, up from £30,000 in 2022 when income from the show was £285,000. Covid restrictions meant the show was not held in 2021 or 2020.

COUNTY councillor Jackie Porter says she is still working on improving poor broadband reception in the Alresford area.
She is calling for anyone having problems with “not spots” to contact her.
Meanwhile the county councillor grant scheme has relaunched from June 1, with Cllr Porter able to make cash awards for local projects that meet the criteria.
Go to the county council website and search for “county councillor grant scheme” for more information.

ALRESFORD Bowling Club in Sun Lane is seeking commercial sponsorship.
A recent membership campaign has seen the club grow to 70 members.

A SUMMER concert has been arranged by Alresford Community Choir for Saturday, July 6 at 7pm at St John’s Church in West Street.
The programme of choral pieces from the 20th and 21st centuries will include work by Carl Orff, George Shearing and Alexander L’Estrange.

CHERITON Players’ AGM will take place at 7pm on Monday, July 15 in Cheriton Village Hall.
As well as looking back over the past year, and enjoying a glass of wine and a catch-up, people will have the chance to see the world premiere of mockumentary The Name’s Bond... Trevor Bond, a light-hearted peek behind the scenes with broadcaster and journalist Kevin Gover, interviews with the stars, director Helena Gomm and cameraman Jim.
This year there will be at least one vacancy on the committee so if you think you can help (it’s not onerous!) or would like to nominate someone to stand, please come along.
There will also be news about the Cheriton Players’ forthcoming autumn production which will be two one-act plays, providing flexible opportunities for two casts.
The first, Grave Concerns, was written by Craig Robb, who was last seen playing the fool (literally) in April.
The other is a short hilarious comedy, Last Tango in Little Grimley, by David Tristram.

CHRISTMAS is already being planned at TOADS – The Old Alresford Dramatic Society. Auditions for the Christmas Pantomime will be held in the Christy Hall, Old Alresford on Sunday, September 8.
Rehearsals are expected to start on Sunday, September15 at 7pm, and then run every Thursday at 7.30pm and Sunday at 7pm until show week. Show week will be Tuesday, December 10 until Saturday, December 14 at 7.30pm each evening, with a matinee on Saturday, December 14 at 2.30pm.

THIS summer Hinton Ampner House is hosting Quantum Theatre for not one but two different productions!
The first, Great Expectations, delivers high comedy and dark drama on June 21 and 28 at 7pm.
Then a delightful new adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s much-loved tale The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck will take place on August 9 and 16 at 6.30pm.
Tickets cost £16 adults, children £11, or concessions £11. A group of two adults, and two children costs £46. Call 020 8317 9000 to book.
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