Lymington director awarded Best Comedy at National Film Awards.

The More You Ignore Me will be showcased this summer at the New Forest Film Festival.

Last week at the National Film Awards, Lymington director Keith English was delighted to be part of the team winning best comedy. Written by and starrring leading comedian Jo Brand, 'The More You Ignore Me' was directed by Keith, who lives and works in Lymington. 

Keith (pictured here with Jo Brand and producer Debbie Gray of Genesius Pictures) was delighted to attend the National Film Awards.

"Producer Debbie Gray, Jo Brand and I were surprised and delighted by the win," said Keith. "It was a wonderful moment for the three of us to collect the award at the London event. It’s fantastic that the award was from a public vote as it shows independent films have a special place with audiences around the country."

We've followed the building success story of The More You Ignore Me from the start, announcing the film's launch and following the mounting success as the film rapidly became more and more critically acclaimed. Keith himself has appeared at numerous local screenings to provide a personal insight into the film.

"People in the New Forest will have further chances to see The More You Ignore Me on the big screen during the New Forest Film Festival, taking place 8-16 June," announced Keith. "We hope to see you there!"

National Award for Keith's first feature length film! 

'The More You Ignore Me' is Keith's first full length feature film and although quite low budget it was blessed with attracting great actors - Sheridan Smith, Mark Addy, Ella Hunt, Sally Phillips in the starring roles. Keith is well known for his emotional, dramatic and funny work in the world of commercials - and that proved to be a great grounding for the rollercoaster ride of story this is!

“It was wonderful to cut my teeth on such a meaty, but heartwarming story," said Keith. "It’s exactly the kind of film we make so well in this country; distinctive and witty, but with a big heart and a strong message about how mental health issues affect not just the patient, but the family around them. We shot it just outside Blackpool and shows how a small rural family can deal with these things in a very ‘British’ way. The performances are excellent and the tone is tough but heartwarming. It looks good too - the wonderful photography makes it a film you should see in the cinema!"

See The More You Ignore Me at the New Forest Film Festival

The New Forest Film Festival will celebrate films with a New Forest connection, our amazing local creative talent, the variety of venues screening films and the diverse filming locations the New Forest offers.

A big part of the festival will be the Short Film Competition. Film: New Forest have partnered up with local film makers Gary Wronecki and Michael Van Koetsveld, who will be organising the New Forest Film Festival competitive element of the celebration. This is an exciting opportunity for all film makers to submit their short films into one of the seven categories and there will be special "New Forest" awards for local students. Unsurprisingly Keith will be one of the judges! Find more details about the competition here.

Find out more about The More You Ignore Me and Keith English here.

19th Open Art Exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington

Art by 105 talented artists chosen to be showcased in this exciting annual exhibition.

The 19th Open Art Exhibition opens at St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in Lymington this weekend, showcasing pieces by 105 talented, local artists. Last year the Open exhibition made a successful transition to the new gallery spaces and an online entry method. 

Steve Marshall, Curator of the Open Exhibition said “This year there were 428 entries for the exhibition and since the overall quality was so high the judges had a very difficult time making their selection. The outcome is a varied selection of stunning artwork which ranges from vibrant paintings in oil and acrylic to jewel-like prints and quirky sculpture. A real credit to the local artists and their talent.”

Since it was established in 2000 the St Barbe Open has become one of the highlights of the local arts calendar, attracting artists from Hampshire, Dorset and beyond. In this 19th year (a year was missed during the big refurbishment, hence not the 20th year yet!) the Open includes paintings, prints, drawings and three dimensional pieces in ceramic, bronze, wood and mixed media. Most works are available for sale and the exhibition provides an excellent opportunity to find affordable art by some of the best artists working in the region.

Prize winners have been announced!

Congratulations to all entrants and in particular to the following award winners:

• The Blake Morgan Award for best painting: Davina Downes – Welsh Hills in Winter, oil on canvas
• The Mary and John Symons Memorial Award for best print: Sian Appleyard – Tide Line, collagraph
• The Coastal Gallery Award for best contemporary abstract work: Keith Rogers – Blush, oil pastel
• The Ted Marsh Memorial Award for best work by an artist aged 18-21: Hattie Rogers – Sea by Moonlight, printing ink on paper
• The Beaulieu Fine Arts Award for best work by a non-professional artist: Sue Howard – Apple Trees, print

49 entries in the 2nd St Barbe Young Artists' Open Exhibition

2018 saw the inaugural Young Artists’ Open providing an opportunity for developing artists from toddlers to 17 year olds. For this year’s exhibition there were  49 entries, all of which will be displayed in Gallery 3 alongside the adult Open exhibition. The exhibition is a feast of colour, featuring landscapes, wildlife, still life and works of imagination in pencil, ink, watercolour, acrylic and mixed media. We hope that in time some of these budding artists’ work will appear in the main Open exhibition.

Prizes for each age category (under 7, 7-11, 12-17) have been generously provided by Gordon Young in memory of Ted Marsh the first Chairman of Trustees at St Barbe whose vision and energy helped found the museum you see today.

Congratulations to the Young Artists’ Open Exhibition Winners who receive their awards on Saturday 22 March at St Barbe.

• Under 7 Years Category - Winner of the Ted Marsh Memorial Award: Landon Machin – Touch the Sun (acrylic)
• 7-11 Years Category - Winner of the Ted Marsh Memorial Award: Maisie Jones – Rainbow Lion (acrylic)
• 12-17 Years Category - Winner of the Ted Marsh Memorial Award: Madelaine Curry – Flora (acrylic)

Visit the 2019 Open Exhibition and Young Artists Open Exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington between Friday 22 March and Sunday 2 June, 10am to 5pm daily.

Hampshire Open Studios 2018

Pop Up Art Exhibitions Lymington and New Forest

For 10 days,from Saturday 18 to Monday 27 August, we have carte blanche to wander through 160 art venues through Hampshire.  It is a MAJOR art trail – and not for the faint hearted.  You will definitely need your GPS!

But it is an amazing, wonderful and heart warming trail. For 9 days artists in Hampshire open their studio doors to the public, to share their passion, their delight, their creativity and their love of their ar. 

For 10 days between Saturday 18 and Monday (Bank Holiday) 27 August 2018

http://www.hampshireopenstudios.org.uk/artists/newforest

 It's a kind of "pop up" art exhibition which is not to be missed!  It runs from Saturday 18 to Monday 27 August at various venues near Lymington and throughout the New Forest too.

Most of the venues are open 10 am - 5 pm but some of the private houses may have slightly different opening times.
Hampshire Open Studios is an annual event, organised by the artists themselves to highlight their work in the most inspirational and personal way possible.  Better than markets, fairs, exhibition centres – this is a chance to see the work and its creator, to talk to them and discuss whatever issues you wish.  Just visiting the different environments is an adventure in itself.

 
Some venues have a group of artists sharing their work, others are individual.  In the brochure and on the website are details as to the work of the artist, a brief biography of the artist / groups of artists and details of how to reach their studio.  


Follow the pink direction arrows, bunting and anything else that may be pink! 

 
For Lymington alone there are 34 different studios and many of these venues are shared by more than one artist, sometimes 4-5!  So plentiful and wondrous works to see, view, touch and discuss with the artist(s) who will usually be present.  

 

Kick off with Art at the Pub this weekend and coincide with the annual Beer Festival at the Turfcutters Arms!

More information on the Hampshire Open Studios Website http://www.hampshireopenstudios.org.uk/artists/newforest
 
Also check out the individual artists who have added their details at http://lymington.com/events/lymington-events

Lymington director's film hits the big screen!

Jo Brand's 'The More You Ignore Me' set to warm hearts with strong message about mental health issues

Written by, and starrring, Jo Brand, 'The More You Ignore Me' was directed by Keith English who lives and works in Lymington. It has already received excellent early reviews - including Chris Evans on his BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

A poignant and darkly funny coming-of-age story of dysfunctional family life in 1980’s rural England: Gina (Sheridan Smith) whose efforts to be a loving mother and wife are undermined by her declining mental health and her growing obsession with the local weatherman and Alice (Ella Hunt) her daughter, who struggles to relate to her mum. Based on her critically acclaimed novel of the same name, Jo Brand used the insight she gained during her years as a psychiatric health worker. 'The More You Ignore Me' is set to the songs of The Smiths and also stars Mark Addy, Sally Phillips, Sheila Hancock, Tom Davis and Ricky Tomlinson.

Keith grew up in Blackgang on the Isle of Wight. He bought his first cine camera from his uncle when he was just 8 years old and has, ever since, made little movies.

Later he went to Bournemouth Art College (now the Arts University) to study film and won the college's ‘Best Film of the Year’ when he graduated. He’s had a long career since, continuing to make ‘little films’ in the guise of TV commercials in London and around the world - winning numerous awards and accolades.

In 2006 he moved back to Lymington with his wife and daughter - which was about the time Jo Brand started to write her novel ‘The More You Ignore Me’. Through a mutual friend, Producer of Genesius Pictures, Debbie Gray, Jo and Keith got together around 2014 and developed her screen adaption of her book into the film they finally shot in 2016.

'The More You Ignore Me' is Keith's first full length feature film and although quite low budget it was blessed with attracting great actors - Sheridan Smith, Mark Addy, Ella Hunt, Sally Phillips in the starring roles. Keith is well known for his emotional, dramatic and funny work in the world of commercials - and that proved to be a great grounding for the rollercoaster ride of story this is!

"It could have been the New Forest"

“It was wonderful to cut my teeth on such a meaty, but heartwarming story," said Keith. "It’s exactly the kind of film we make so well in this country; distinctive and witty, but with a big heart and a strong message about how mental health issues affect not just the patient, but the family around them. We shot it just outside Blackpool, but just as well it could have been the New Forest - it shows how a small rural family can deal with these things in a very ‘British’ way. The performances are excellent and the tone is tough but heartwarming. It looks good too - the wonderful photography makes it a film you should see in the cinema!"

Keith has recorded a Pod Cast for Britflicks about making the film (fairly in-depth for film buffs). http://www.britflicks.com/Podcast/24121 

See the trailer for "The More You Ignore Me": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYNN0g06k-0

UK Distributor Entertainment Films: https://www.themoreyouignoreme.co.uk
Twitter: @TMYIM
Facebook: The More You Ignore Me

Curious Dog Show at Curious Arts Festival

Dogs more welcome than ever at Curious Arts this year

Not only are four-legged family members welcome as ever at the Curious Arts Festival Friday 20 - Sunday 22 July 2018, but this year they are invited to take centre stage on Sunday 22 July for the first ever Curious Dog Show, organised by Oscar Pet Foods.

Putting the bark into Curious: Oscar Pet Foods together with broadcaster and comic compere Simon Evans and literary judge Damian Dibben

Locals as well as visitors get your pooches ready for a very different kind of fun dog show in the beautiful surroundings of Pylewell Park where their literary endeavours and antics will be compered by well known comedian and Radio 4 regular broadcaster Simon Evans, and judged by children’s author Damian Dibben whose first adult book “Tomorrow” is published this month and follows the quest of a 217-year old dog as he travels through the courts and battlefields of Europe in search of the man who granted him immortality!

Both Simon and Damian are guaranteed to have a few specially chosen words for each of the entrants and their humans, at the Curious Dog Show!

Curious classes at free dog show 

The Curious Dog Show is free to enter for both weekend and day visitors to the festival, and will comprise the following classes:

• Most like a literary character
• Most beautiful paw print
• Best recitation of a sonnet
• Best directed act
• Most rhythmic tail
• Winner of the musical sit

You'll have to come along to find out what some of these entail but the Curious Dog Show is guaranteed to be a thoroughly fun affair!

Organised and hosted by Clare Muir of Oscar Pet Foods

The Curious Dog Show is organised and hosted by our very own Clare Muir, Sway-based qualified pet nutritionist who owns the franchise for the Oscar Pet Foods in the New Forest  and will also be on hand with advice and Oscar samples and treats. Oscar Pet Foods has been delivering superior pet products to homes throughout the UK since 1994 and is renowned for its excellent range of foods to suit all breeds and lifestyles, including gluten-free, weight-control and grain-free options.

Lots of great prizes!

Prize winning pooches will walk off with Oscars dog treats, Curious Rosettes, a bottle of Chapel Down English sparkling wine and Curious Brew beers.

Free to enter, sign up on arrival

Four-legged entrants can attend Curious for free with a ticket-holding human and can signup for the Curious Dog Show on arrival.

A multitude of reasons to join in the 5th annual Curious Arts Festival

Curious which celebrates its 5th anniversary this year offers an increasingly packed programme of music, literature, comedy and children’s activities. You might find yourself learning how to write a Petrarchan sonnet, losing your life-savings at Black-Jack, creating a vintage doll's house from scratch or joining a LOVE
workshop. From life drawing to midnight bat walks, poetry workshops, pop-up fine dining and even a cricket match no other festival offers anything like this dreamy, fun, eccentric and ultimately inimitable weekend.

Nationally acclaimed family friendly literature and music festival at Pylewell Park Lymington, 20-22 July 2018

For more details see http://lymington.com/festivals-fetes/1905-curious-arts-festival-2018 and of course www.curiousartsfestival.com

Brilliant Fiona helps Colten Care residents benefit from music and arts. 

Dedicated Music and Arts professional improves residents’ wellbeing and quality of life.

And, it really works. See below. 

Professional musician, teacher and music-in-healthcare practitioner Fiona Pritchard is working across Colten Care's 20 nursing homes including the five dementia-specific care homes.

A key part of her role is to stimulate residents’ creativity and imagination through singing, playing music, drama, poetry, storytelling, dance and active listening.“I am introducing arts based approaches into everyday care and offering individualised interactions with residents based on an arts activity of interest", said Fiona. “I will use creative interventions to offer people living with dementia an alternative means to express how they feel and challenge how their diagnosis is perceived. I will also enable residents to access the arts activities that are taking place in their local community.”Two community projects already identified are Reawakening Dance at Pavilion Dance South West in Bournemouth and Dance for Parkinson’s at the Forest Arts Centre in New Milton, Hampshire.After studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Fiona performed with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, English National Ballet and the Scottish Opera Orchestra.

She has been teaching music at Ringwood School in Hampshire for 25 years and writes and arranges music and songs for the BBC, ITV, the Letterland phonics teaching approach, the pre-school music education company Monkey Music and the music publisher Warwick Music.

Fiona has trained in Neurologic Music Therapy and is currently studying for a master’s degree in Dementia Studies with Arts and Activities at Bradford University. 

She has worked with Colten Care since 2014 in roles including customer services and companionship.

Fiona is one of the musicians running the BUDDY orchestra, a community project founded by Bournemouth University for people with dementia and their carers.

Fiona said: “I am keen to work in partnership with the Colten Care home teams to develop and enhance the music and arts practised across the group. I hope to increase the sense of wellbeing for our residents and enrich their experience of staying in a care home.”

Tim Wookey, Colten Care’s Director of Companionship, said: “Fiona will work closely with our home managers and clinical, care and companionship teams to meet those residents who will benefit best from her input. Research suggests that there is improved mood and attitude if there is music in the home. Enabling staff to participate alongside residents will become a shared experience with a real community feel. For those living with dementia, Fiona and our Admiral Nurse Kay Gibson will design and implement person-centred interactions. Fiona will also set up a regular opportunity for residents, relatives and people in the community to engage in such activities as a music café.”

It's already working.  We speak from personal experience, one resident is our previously music loving mother who in the advanced stages of Alzheimers, although wonderfully cared for is no longer able to sing.  Yet, with Fiona's gentle and sensitive prompting she has started to articulate, very carefully and precisely, the words of favourite songs.  This is quite amazing. 

For more information about Fiona and her role, visit www.coltencare.co.uk/music-and-arts.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT COLTEN CARE'S LOCAL HOMES

Colten Care operates six residential nursing and care homes in the local area, including three in Lymington: Belmore Lodge, Court Lodge and dementia specialist Linden House. There are also homes in Brockenhurst (Woodpecker's), New Milton (Kingfisher's) and Mudeford (Avon Reach). Click on the links to find out more about each home...

Matt Haig and Misha Glenny lead illuminating literary line up at Curious Arts Festival 

Book your tickets for the 2018 Curious Arts Festival at Pylewell Park, taking place 20th to 23rd July.

In need of reading inspiration this World Book Day? Look no further than this year’s line up of author events at Curious which reads as an A to Z of prize winners, best sellers and this year’s most exciting book releases.

Celebrated adult and children’s author Matt Haig and journalist, historian and McMafia creator Misha Glenny are today announced as the latest names on an inspired literary line up at the eclectic illuminating Curious Arts Festival this July.

The cream of UK and International literary talent

Celebrating its fifth birthday this summer, Curious is one of the UK’s top boutique festivals renowned for attracting the cream of UK and international literary talent which this year includes:

• KATE MOSSE - international bestselling author with debut novel LABYRINTH and more recently THE TAXIDERMIST’S DAUGHTER, Kate is the Co-Founder and Chair of the Women’s Prize for Fiction
• ADAM KAY – award winning performer and comedy writer whose first book THIS IS GOING TO HURT, based on his experiences as a doctor in the NHS, opened at #3 in the Sunday Times Bestseller List
• LEMN SISSAY MBE – People’s Poet and author of several books of poetry including last year’s GOLD FROM THE STONE, Lemn is currently working on a memoir about his extraordinary life
• MIRIAM DARLINGTON - prize-winning poet whose collection WINDFALL was followed by an ecological tale for young children, FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND and then by OTTER COUNTRY for adults. Her latest book OWL SENSE is just published this February.
• THOMAS HARDING – best selling author and journalist whose most recent book, BLOOD ON THE PAGE, published in January, is an explosive new work of non-fiction investigating a murder case.
• JAMIE REID – author of non fiction books including DOPED his true story about the 1960s racehorse doping gangs as well as acclaimed novels. His latest book, MONSIEUR X, published in March 2018, tells the story of French aristocrat Patrice des Moutis who, between the late 1950s and the early 1970s, made a daring attempt to beat the French state-run betting system - a dazzling tale of glamour, riches, violence and ultimately tragedy.
• ROB LLOYD JONES - author of the award-winning WILD BOY series of Victorian detective novels, and the JAKE ATLAS adventure series.
• DOLLY ALDERTON – journalist and writer whose critically acclaimed book EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT LOVE was just released this February
• MATT HAIG is the author of bestseller How to Stop Time, acclaimed memoir Reasons to Stay Alive, novel The Humans and for children among others A Boy Called Christmas. Matt will be hosting events and Q and As for children and adults alike across the weekend.
• Heavyweight journalist, writer and historian MISHA GLENNY is an expert on global organised crime, cybersecurity and southeastern Europe and is regularly consulted by the British Foreign Office, the US State Department and the British Army. His most recent book NEMESIS follows others including MCMAFIA which was recently made into an 8-part television series for BBC1 starring James Norton and an international cast.

As well as offering author events, Curious offers a glittering array of the cultural, creative and curious including a stellar comedy line up, music from some of the UK’s most exciting singer songwriter talent – John Newman headlines this year - and a uniquely engaging children’s programme.

You might find yourself learning how to write a Petrarchan sonnet, losing your life-savings at Black-Jack, creating a vintage doll's house from scratch or joining a LOVE workshop among many other experiences from midnight bat walks to life drawing and cocktail masterclasses to snail racing. Pop up fine dining and even a cricket match make this a dreamy, fun, eccentric and ultimately inimitable weekend

A firm favourite in the festival firmament and with a capacity of just 5,000, Curious will take place from 20th to 22nd July 2018. Full price weekend tickets are £128, with children over 5 and over at just £23. Children under 5 are free. Early-bird weekend tickets (£103 adult, £225 family) are now on sale at www.curiousartsfestival.com.

Dogs on leads are welcome. Camping is FREE and GLAMPING options can be booked from March.

Find out more about the Curious Arts Festival here.

SPUD Youth UnVEIL Exciting projects at Buckland Rings

An exciting new interpretation project is coming to fruition at Buckland Rings Iron Age Hillfort on the outskirts of Lymington. 

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Buckland Rings is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and historically important as it is rare to find such a well preserved hillfort so close to the coast in the South. It's a very popular place for local dog walkers and for sledging on the rare occasions Lymington gets a snowfall. It's also used for grazing cattle and ponies in the summer months, but little else happens. Until now there has been only a basic sign announcing the site and most people know very little about it.

Local arts charity, SPUD Youth, identified Buckland Rings as a great opportunity for young people to learn more about this important site, work with a range of professionals including historians, landscape professionals, ecologists and articts. Over the past year, the young people have taken the lead on the ideas and have worked closely with a range of people to develop them. 

SPUD Youth secured a Heritage Lottery Grant which has now helped to commission artists to work with young adults to make ideas become reality. Now the interpretation projects are being installed on site. There will be a grand public opening of the project on Saturday 22nd April from 12noon to 3pm.

BRINGING BUCKLAND RINGS TO LIFE

Buckland Rings is a multivallate hill fort dating from the Iron Age period, probably 4th century BC to 1st century AD. It has well preserved triple banks and double ditches but it may have started out with a single bank and ditch system. This type of site is rare in lowland areas and as such is the best preserved and most important in the Hampshire/Dorset basin. Find out more about the history of Buckland Rings...

The objective of the SPUD Youth project has been to develop ideas and designs for new gateways, seating and most importantly interpretation to bring this site's Iron Age past to life. 

After months of planning, research and development, the project settled on three ideas, which have now been installed on site:

The Guardians of the Gate

Forming the eye-catching centrepiece of the project, the Guardians are a trio of sculptures located by the main pedestrian entrance to the site alongside the A337 Lyndhurst Road. Based on the Iron Age horned-god 'Green Man' myth, these are instead a 'Green Family' with a horned mum, dad and child. Made out of rusted steel with plasma cut leaf details, beaten copper hearts and cast metal antlers, these statues blend in beautifully with the site and are the first pieces of permanent public art to appear in Lymington - meaning that they are a little piece of history in the making.

Hillfort Benches

Atop a grassy knoll overlooking the hillfort are two new carved wooden benches. Their sweeping curved design reflects the outline of the hillfort ramparts, and the back rests are shaped like the heads of the tools and weapons that would have been used by the people who created Buckland Rings.

Self-Guided Walks

Two waymarked walks are being set up: 'The Ramparts Walk' and 'The Meadows Walk', with waymarking discs and interpretation panels along the routes to help highlight the historic and natural features of this special site.

For more information on the whole project, please visit www.spudyouth.org/buckland-rings

SPUD Youth is a an award winning workshop programme being run for young people aged 12 and upwards who are interested in architecture, urban design and public art. It is a weekly free programme run in term-time in Lymington.

A DUCK’S TALE - a poem for half term and valentines week

A BEAUTIFUL STORY FOR VALENTINE’S WEEK AND HALF TERM  - 
WITH RESPECT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

OUR LITTLE YELLOW RUBBER DUCK WAS FEELING RATHER DOWN
HE’D HEARD HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN’S DUCK WORE A GOLDEN CROWN
AND THOUGH HE KNEW THAT HE WAS SPECIAL WITH HIS BLOW-UP RING
SOMEHOW THIS SHINY LIFESAVER DID NOT MAKE HIS HEAR SING.

“I’M JUST AS GOOD AS H.M’S DUCK AND LONG FOR LOVELY THINGS
IF ONLY I COULD WEAR A CROWN, MY HEART WOULD FLY ON WINGS,”
AND SO, HE SET OFF ON A TRIP TO FAR OFF LONDON TOWN
HOPING TO MEET THE WONDROUS DUCK, AND GLIMPSE HER GOLDEN CROWN.

AT LAST HE REACHED THE QUEEN’S ABODE AND THEN HE WAS IN LUCK,
THE HANDSOME GUARDS WEREN’T INTERESTED IN CHALLENGING A DUCK.
THIS MEANT THAT HE COULD WALK RIGHT IN, AS IF HE OWNED THE PLACE.
THE THOUGHT HE WAS SO NEAR HIS GOAL BROUGHT SUNSHINE TO HIS FACE.

HE LOOKED IN FORTY-SEVEN ROOMS BEFORE HE FOUND “THE ONE” –
THE QUEEN’S OWN ROYAL BATHROOM AND HER BATH HAD JUST BEEN RUN!
THE STEAM WAS GENTLY RISING AND ABOVE IT ON A SHELF
OUR HERO SPIED A RUBBER DUCK, THE IMAGE OF HIMSELF.

AND IT WAS TRUE – SHE WORE A CROWN OF SOFTLY GLEAMING GOLD
WITH DIAMONDS BEDECKING IT, A WONDER TO BEHOLD.
THE ROYAL DUCK LOOKED BACK AT OURS AND GAVE A SORT OF CHEER
“COME UP AND CHAT A WHILE” SHE CALLED “ONE FINDS IT LONELY HERE.”

SO UP HE CLIMBED, THE ROYAL DUCK MOVED UP TO MAKE A PLACE
THEN OVER-BALANCED BY HER CROWN, FELL FORWARDS INTO SPACE.
INTO THE SCENTED BATH SHE PLUNGED AND SANK LIKE PLUMBERS LEAD
WEIGHTED DOWN BY THE HEAVY CROWN STUCK FAST UPON HER HEAD.

WITHOUT A PAUSE OUR DUCK DIVED IN AND SNATCHING OFF HIS RING
HE PLACED IT ROUND THE ROYAL DUCK AND FIRMLY GRASPED HER WING
HE TUGGED AND PADDLED, UP THEY ROSE, JUST THEN THE QUEEN WALKED IN,
SHE TURNED QUITE PALE, SAID “THIS IS JUST THE BRAVES THING ONE’S SEEN.”

“YOUR NOBLE DEED HAS WON ONE’S HEAT AND WE MUST HONOUR YOU,
SO WOULD YOU LIKE A GOLDEN CROWN, OR WOULD A KNIGHTHOOD DO?”
QUOTH HE: “I’VE LEARNED A LESSON MA’AM, A CROWN’S A WEIGHTY THING
THERE’S TIMES WHEN IT IS PREFERABLE TO HAVE A RUBBER RING.”

“A CROWN CAN DRAG THE WEARER DOWN AND BRING IT LIFE OF DUTY,
(GOD BLESS YOU FOR ACCEPTING YOURS, YOU’VE REIGNED IN PEACE AND BEAUTY.)
PERHAPS IT MIGHT BE NICE TO BE ‘SIR YELLOW RUBBER-DUCK’.”
A KNIGHTHOOD THEN IT IS” SHE LAUGHED “IN HONOUR OF YOUR PLUCK”.

“AND FURTHERMORE, WE’LL PASS A LAW THAT HENCEFORTH FROM THIS DAY
NO DUCKS SHALL E’RE AGAIN WEAR CROWNS AND RISK THEIR LIVES THIS WAY.
MY GOVERNMENT WILL ISSUE TO EACH DUCK A BLOW-UP RING
AND YOU SHOULD FEEL SO VERY PROUD TO’VE BROUGHT ABOUT THIS THING.”

“ARISE SIR YELLOW RUBBER-DUCK, RETURN FROM WHENCE YOU CAME,
THE WORLD SHALL KNOW YOUR COURAGE AND ALL DUCKS WILL BLESS YOUR NAME!”
“I CANNOT LEAVE, YOUR MAJESTY, MY HEART’S LOST TO YOUR DUCK.”
“THEN WITH OUR BLESSING, MARRY HER, WE WISH YOU BOTH GOOD LUCK.”

AND SO THIS STORY HAS AN END, APPROPRIATELY HAPPY
SIR AND LADY RUBBER-DUCK BECAME MAMA AND PAPPY
THEIR NINETEEN YELLOW DUCKLINGS FOLLOW NICELY IN A STRING
AND EACH ONE WEARS A GOV’MENT ISSUE RUBBER SAFETY RING.

Please note, our wonderful Lymington.com poet wishes to remain anonymous so if you have an inkling who it may be, please keep that lovely knowledge to yourself!

hArt's creative events at ArtSway hailed a success!

'Awards for all' lottery funding enabled hArt to reach out to groups throughout the local community.

As part of the New Forest Arts Festival in June 2016, Sway-based art therapy charity, hArt (Hampshire Art for Recreation and Therapy), showcased the professional expertise of creative therapists and artists in a 5 day special event held at ArtSway in Sway. Thanks to the 'Awards for all' lottery funding, hART was able to rent the whole space at ArtSway for 5 days. The team also spent 3 days at Furzey Gardens.

The opportunity included introductory sessions for professionals, potential funders and referring bodies, including GPs and teachers, and demonstrated how creative therapies can enable people to express themselves and explore their feelings in a safe and guided situation.

There were also sessions of art psychotherapy, drama therapy and dance and movement for both adults and children and special sessions for invited groups, including those living with dementia and their carers, looked-after children, young people on the Autistic spectrum and adults with mental health issues. The event also included a special trip to a local junior school for a wonderful movement and imagination session. 

Evening sessions for adults were very well received, given the opportunity to just relax and try something new and creative, under the gentle direction of the hArt team. 

hArt decided to present this event in order to expand the services available initially to people in the New Forest, where access is limited and where it can be difficult for people to travel from more rural locations. The eventual aim is to establish small groups where such activities can be presented in weekly workshops, in a number of venues throughout the area.

“It has shown me how important art is as a therapy and I definitely intend to make more room for it in my life’’.

“I have found this experience very positive having met a lovely bunch of people and learned a lot of new skills which I am using in my day to day life.”

Bug Barn Workshops

The hArt team also spent three days at Furzey Gardens during the New Forest Arts Festival. Morning and afternoon sessions held in the Bug Barn, with workshops based around working with clay, discovering charcoal and inks, printing - lino stamps and screen prints, and a special outdoor workshop making edible sculptures for our furry and feathered friends.

Dance and movement with Kieran Sheehan

Kieran Sheehan has extensive experience in delivering movement and imagination work with a variety of groups and has led a number of complex participatory projects in partnership with organisations as diverse as Opera North, Ice and Fire Theatre Company and Dance Digital. He is Head of Movement and Academic Development at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (North). He is currently the Revival Movement Director on Figaro for Glyndebourne Opera.

Dramatherapy with Marie Woodhouse

Marie Woodhouse MA is a highly experienced dramatherapist, based in Southampton, and who has worked with clients with histories of addiction, mental health problems and learning difficulties as well as trauma victims and those diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. Her clients range from 4 years old to adults, and she works one to one or in group situations.She is currently the Contracts Support Office at Southampton City Council Integrated Commissioning Unit.

Art therapy with Samantha Lewis

Sam Lewis MA BA Hons is lead Art Psychotherapist with hArt as well as an independent Therapist with her own private practice. She has worked with children, in schools and colleges and for The Butterfly Foundation for children affected by domestic abuse. She has developed programmes for adults with mental health issues and learning disabilities, refugees and asylum seekers and with older people living with Dementia, delivering many Arts and Wellbeing programmes on behalf of hArt. The most recent funded by The New Forest National Park Authority which took the therapeutic space into an outdoor setting.

About hArt

hArt (Hampshire Art for Recreation and Therapy) was registered as a charity in October 2014. Its aims are to provide creative and recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to improve health and wellbeing. We offer one-to-one and group work and tailor make programmes for specific needs. Whether we are running a fun recreational workshops for parents, grandparents and children, or providing psychotherapeutic support for people with long-term and complex issues, we have a team of fully qualified and experienced therapists, facilitators, teachers, artists, makers and volunteers.

hArt has already delivered 5 programmes, and worked with adults and children, and is continuing to develop new projects and partnerships. We have worked with the New Forest National Park Authority, Oakhaven Hospice, Lymington New Forest Hospital, Solent Mind, local schools, colleges and care homes. We are currently fund-raising to provide a weekly drop-in session which will be available for people to attend either through self-referral or through GPs, as well as providing some continuity and social contact for those who have previously attended our programmes.

For further information contact: Annie Jeffery, hArt on 01590 683343 or 07733 328244 or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.