Local Events

Saturday 18th February,
Roman Pots and Lamps, Red House Museum, 10.30am – 12.30pm
£5 per person. Work with a master potter in this hands-on workshop and take home your own Roman pot or lamp. To avoid disappointment, as places are strictly limited, please purchase your tickets before the event

Saturday 18th February
At 7pm on Saturday, 18 February 2012, the ever popular Christchurch U3A Vintage Brass Band will be presenting another of their rousing Brass Band musical evenings. The venue is St George’s Church, Jumpers Road, Christchurch, BH23 2JR and the proceeds will be donated toward the church’s funds. Tickets are £6 and can be obtained by sending a cheque and s.a.e. to Jill Picket, 2a Southville Road, Southbourne, BH5 2JT, from any band member or by Pay Pal via www.christchurchu3a.org.uk/vintagebrass. Everybody is welcome and we would love to see you there.

Tuesday 21st February
A Winter Walk around old Christchurch will start from the Old Town Hall, Saxon Square on Tuesday 21st February at 2.00 p.m. Organised by Christchurch Local History Society in conjunction with the Borough Council this gentle stroll takes in much of the town's colourful past and will be led by popular Priory and Town Guide, Terry Thomas at £4 per person with children under 16 going for free. The walk lasts about 1½ hours and dogs are welcome.

Wednesday 22nd February
Christchurch Library, 2.30pm 'An Audience with Rebecca Shaw' a talk by the Dorset based author of the popular Turnham Malpass and Barleybridge novels of village life. Tickets from Christchurch Library, £3.00. Booking and paying for in advance highly recommended. Tickets on the door cannot be guaranteed.

Saturday 25th February 2012
Kinkizzi Coffee Morning, St George's Church Hall, 10.30am – 12 noon, £1 entry to include tea/coffee and biscuits. Bring and Buy, Raffle, Toys, Cakes and more.

Wednesday 29th February
Christchurch Arts Guild are proud to add Highcliffe Castle to their 2012 schedule of Art Exhibitions This new event will be staged in the main library between 1st March and 15th April 2012 with the preview on February 29th 2012 by invitation only.

Wednesday 29th February
 7.30 to 9.30pm Transition Town Christchurch – making the transition from a fossil-fuel based economy to one that is more sustainable with less harm to the planet. Rear Hall, Baptist Church, Bargates, Christchurch. Renewable Energy. In this presentation George Gregory looks at UK energy usage by fuel type and application, the rationale for renewables in the UK, and analysis of the different technologies. He concludes with a clear recommendation of which should be prioritised in the UK. Not the technologies you might expect to be first choice! Come and hear his conclusions and join the debate. Free event, refreshments available. For more information please email us at contact@transitiontownchristchurch.org or look at our website, www.transitiontownchristchurch.org
 
Thursday 1st March
Guilded Images Art Exhibition - Highcliffe Castle. Christchurch Arts Guild's new art exhibition "Guilded Images" will be staged in the main library of Highcliffe Castle between 1st March and 15th April 2012 with the preview on February 29th 2012 by invitation only.

Wednesday 7th March
Christchurch Library is holding "What the Dickens", a talk on everyday life in Dickensian London, on Wednesday, 7th March at 2.30 p.m. Admission £1 with refreshments. Tickets from the Library (numbers are limited)

Friday 9th – 29th March
Welcome to Spring Mixed Media Exhibition at the Hayloft Gallery, 14 Wick Lane, Christchurch BH21 1HX. 10-4 Mon-Sat Admission free. Collective Artists - a CADArts Exhibition.

Wednesday 14th March
Highcliffe Library, 10.30am. Demonstration of flower arranging by Highcliffe Flower Club. Tickets from the Library. Numbers limited. Book & Pay for in advance: Friends £1.00, Non members £2.00. On the door if available: Friends £2.00, Non members £3.00.

Saturday 17th March
Highcliffe Royal British Legion Coffee Morning. Come and join us for a coffee and a chat, make new friends, find out what we have booked all year. Methodist church Hall, Lymington Rd 10am -12noon.

Sunday 18th March
Spring Wedding Fair at Highcliffe Castle - Displaying mainly local businesses from florists to hotels, chocolate fountains to casino tables, photographers, string quartets and classic cars to name but a few. The Grade 1 Listed Castle showcases everything a couple could possibly need to plan a wedding day of their dreams. With admission at just £1, the Gift Shop and Tea Rooms also open and free parking currently available, couples and their families and friends can spend a relaxed and enjoyable day collecting ideas and contacts to help create the perfect wedding day all within the beautiful Castle grounds. 11.00am - 4.00pm.

Tuesday 20th March
A Spring Walk around old Christchurch will start from the Old Town Hall, Saxon Square on Tuesday 20th March at 2.00 p.m. Organised by Christchurch History Society in conjunction with the Borough Council this gentle stroll takes in much of the town's colourful past and will be led by popular Town and Priory Guide, Terry Thomas at £4 per person with children under 16 going for free. The walk lasts about 1½ hours and dogs are welcome.

Thursday 22nd March
"Save the Children" Charity Fashion Show - Christchurch Branch of "Save the Children" are holding a Fashion Show at M & Co, 38 High Street, Christchurch on Thursday, 22nd March at 7.p.m. Tickets ₤5, free glass of wine and nibbles. Raffle. Tickets available from 01425-270773 or 01425-273517 and in store at M & Co.
Sunday 25th March
Parley Bun Runs - Join the Wessex Autistic Society and celebrate the Easter with this rewarding family day out and take part in the 2k fun run or challenge yourself with a 10k run. Starting at Chapel Gate Sports Ground in Parley, this muti-terrain Easter theme run finishes at the Chairty's Portfield School. Registration open from 09.30, start time of 11am. Entry for 10k £10, please contact the fundraising team for details of 2k and to book a place 01202 483360.

Wednesday 28th March
Stan's Blues Jam at The Avon Causeway, Hurn, BH23 6AS. On The Last Wednesday of Every Month. Entry £1 for players and listeners. Backline provided. 8.30pm - 11.00pm. www.myspace.com/stansbluesjam2

Wednesday 28th March
Organised by Transition Town Christchurch – making the transition from a fossil-fuel based economy to one that is more sustainable with less harm to the planet. Wednesday March 28th, 7:30 to 9:30pm at Druitt Hall, off High Street (by Library) Christchurch. Food Security - A key factor in building local resilience against the oil crisis, climate change and economic downturn is food security, which means that much more of our food should be grown locally, and maybe fewer green beans flown in from Africa! We can ‘grow our own’ and local grower Annemarie will give topical tips on how to get started with spring planting. We can encourage our food retailers to source food locally - we hope to have a supermarket spokesperson to talk to us- and we plan to share information on ‘best practice’ local traders. Free event, refreshments available. Web: www.transitiontownchristchurch.org email us at contact@transitiontownchristchurch.org

Once a month volunteer car drivers take the elderly out for a little car ride before going to volunteer host and hostess’s private homes for afternoon tea. We only ask our volunteer host and hostesses to have a small party of up to six elderly people and two car drivers just once a year. A downstairs cloakroom is a must. Don’t be put off if you have young children or animals they are stimulating for the elderly people. If you can help call Carolyn 01202 424482.