From 12th until 31st September Havant will have a plethora of Heritage events for people to enjoy, completely free and, in many cases with no booking required. Watch out for the big pink H signs which indicate that an event is supported by the national Heritage Open Days system, a sure sign of quality.
This year’s festival theme is Architecture and the History of Building and several days focusing on the Heritage of respectively; Havant Town, Waterlooville, Hayling Island and Leigh Park are planned with additional events in Emsworth and Bedhampton.
Thursday 18th September - The Swing Riots Day in The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre in East Street, Havant where the Harrison Room will be alive to folk song, play readings and reports from the Swing Riots Research Groups focussing on this occasion particularly upon the after effects of those riots upon the women left behind when their menfolk were transported to van Diemen's land, never to return.
Given those upcoming changes to local government in the region, some people may find the display in the Meridian Shopping Centre, running throughout the period of the festival, to be useful to put these ideas into context. The subject is Public Administration and Justice 1327 – 2025, and is split into an early period up until 1835 and then a second period, thereafter with many changes to the basic principles of local Government.
Monday 15th September afternoon - Waterlooville Day at St. George’s Hall Church, on the afternoon featuring both Aiofe Mannix, the poet in residence in Waterlooville and a talk about some very local Pompey Pals who served their country in the Great War.