We’ve had a whirlwind of 2023 at Culture in Common. This year we put all your community feedback into action, hosting and attending over 74 events in over 30 venues across the New Forest.
From a comedy festival and theatrical performances to Story Quests, wheelchair dance classes and a Halloween maze, we’ve strived to provide inclusive, creative activities for local people.
Of course, we couldn’t do any of it without our brilliant community champions, who work hard to organise venues, and let their communities know what’s happening. A big thank you to them for supporting our programme of events this year.
We’ve already got a bumper beginning to 2024 planned. You can be the first to hear about next year’s programme of events by signing up to our newsletter.
But before we look too far ahead, here are some of our 2023 highlights.
New Forest Comedy Festival.
Over 2,000 people attended the first-ever New Forest Comedy Festival this year. 20 comedy events and workshops ran across local venues, and the festival culminated in Sallyann Fellows being announced as the first New Forest Comedian of the year. 60 people competed after attending workshops hosted in local venues.
The competition even featured on BBC South Today
Sallyann recently won the Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian 2023.
Art Box Project
Collaborating with local artists, spudWORKS and Family Support Services, Culture in Common sent 250 art boxes to young people for the Easter holidays. The boxes contained materials and instructions for making individual items which are intended for a collective artwork when brought together.
The activities in the box included how to make a dreamcatcher, creating a piece of adinkra cloth and a short film project using pieces of the box as a set.
Event Planning Toolkit
We launched an event planning toolkit in the Autumn, to help inspire and help local communities to organise and host their own cultural events. We understand it can be daunting to know where to start when organising an event or knowing where to ask for guidance.
From site plans through to information on insurance and licenses our toolkit breaks down each step of the process, and by sharing New Forest-specific websites and contact details, makes the planning of your event as hassle-free as possible.
Acting Up – season one
In partnership with Artsreach, we launched New Forest Acting Up, a new rural touring programme, bringing drama, music, magic and Christmas spirit to community venues between October and December.
Over 350 people attended the first season of events. Audiences really enjoyed the performances, saying “Such a treat and a joy to see the musicians up close” and “We would like more please”
Our 2024 Line up has just been published, with tickets on sale now.
Story Quest
We’ve worked with the National Literary Trust to launch not one, but two Story Quests this year.
These free, fun activities bring together literacy, love of nature and physical activity to help families develop active lifestyles and enjoy reading together.
The Gang Warily adventure follows Emily, Ethan and their four-legged friend Jester as they explore around the lake. Join them by downloading the quest.
Or, you could join Cyril Squirrel and his wild friends on an illustrated adventure around Ballard Water Meadows! The stories were both co-created with young people of the New Forest.
Fordingbridge Lantern Parade 2023
More than 100 people, including children and their families and carers, took part in Avon Valley Community Matters’ first Lantern Parade through Fordingbridge High Street on Friday evening during the town’s annual Late Night Shopping event.
