Gosport celebrates summer with Arts in the Parks events

A series of free magical, musical and family-friendly events will take place in parks across Gosport this summer. The Arts in the Parks events, hosted by Gosport Borough Council, will be open to all and aim to bring inspiring and surprising performances, from poetry and music to children's theatre, into parks and green spaces across the borough.

The first Arts in the Parks event will take place on Friday 12 August in Leesland Park, where poet Rhiannon Armstrong will invite people to take part in creating poems made from shredded documents. The poems will then be animated and added to a growing collection that is touring the country.

Different events featuring live music, children's theatre performances and community art projects will take place throughout August and into September visiting Bridgemary Park, Stanley Park, Elson Recreation Ground and Oxstall Meadows as well as Leesland Park.

The summer Arts in the Parks programme will be followed on 17 September by the Gosport Brouhaha - a celebratory parade of performers and colourful costumes as well as free entertainment in Walpole Park. The Brouhaha is supported by funding from Historic England, as part of Gosport's High Street Heritage Action Zone programme. The Give it a Go Festival will be taking place on the same day, giving people of all ages the chance to see craftspeople and artists at work in Stoke Road and then have a go at trying a new skill, like calligraphy or weaving, in the park.

Cllr Peter Chegwyn, Leader of the Council, said: "We've got a fantastic programme of events coming up over the summer in Gosport. The free Arts in the Parks events will bring our open spaces to life with creativity and magic for the whole family - we hope you'll find something to delight and inspire you! Over the summer there will be lots of opportunities for people to get out and about, try new things and celebrate our wonderful community and heritage in Gosport - including free activities for young people through our Summer Passport programme, Gosport Heritage Open Days and community fairs, festivals and fetes."

You can register for an Arts in the Parks event on Eventbrite, although registration is not mandatory for most events.

Find out more about events, attractions and activities in Gosport this summer.

The Arts in the Parks programme

Poems we made from words we found in the bin - Rhiannon Armstrong

Leesland Park, Daisy Lane, Gosport PO12 3XA

Date: Friday 12 August

Time: Come any time between 12pm and 4pm

This performance is supported by applause.org.uk

The Sounds of Summer with Lucy Mellors and accompaniment - free ticket required

Oxstall Meadows, Grange Farm, Little Woodham Lane, Gosport, PO13 8AB

Date: Friday 12 August

Time: Arrival from 6:10am, please be seated for 6:30pm

Information: Places at this event are limited because of the nature of the site - you must register for a free ticket for this event

Please bring your own chair or alternatively a cushion or picnic rug and note that the ground is uneven with some downward slopes.

Will and When: Our Garden, by Commotion Dance

Bridgemary Park, Bridgemary Ave, Gosport PO13 0XP

Date: Sunday 14 August

Shows at: 12 noon and 2pm 

Event supported by Bridgemary Library and Gosport Discovery Centre.

Colour the changes - participatory art

Elson Recreation ground, Elson Rd, Gosport PO12 4AB

Date: Friday 19 August

Times: Come any time between 10:30am - 12:30pm or 1:30pm - 3:30pm

Thanks to Elson Hub and Library who will host the artwork as an exhibition as part of the Great Big Green Week (24 September - 2 October).

Little Lights Concerts

Bridgemary Park, Bridgemary Ave, Gosport PO13 0XP

Date: Saturday 27 August

Shows at:  10:30am and 1pm

Event supported by Bridgemary Library and Gosport Discovery Centre

Flutes and Frets

Stanley Park, 62 Gomer Lane, Gosport PO12 2QN

Date: Thursday 1 September

Time: Please be seated for 6:30pm

Information: Please bring your own chair or alternatively a cushion or picnic rug.

Bell Orchestra - Beautiful Creatures Theatre

Stanley Park, 62 Gomer Lane, Gosport PO12 2QN

Date: Saturday 3 September

Times: Come any time between 2:30pm and 5:30pm

This performance is supported by applause.org.uk