Entertainment

Hampshire Fare Receive Award of Merit From The Romsey Show

Hampshire Fare, the county food and drink group, were delighted to receive the Award of Merit, presented at the Romsey Show on Saturday, 10th September 2022.

The Award of Merit is presented to an individual, family, business or organisation that has given an outstanding contribution to agriculture, horticulture, farming, forestry, equine and allied businesses. The Romsey Agricultural & Horse Show Society, the organisers of the Romsey Show, felt that Hampshire Fare perfectly fitted the criteria for the Award of Merit due to Hampshire Fare being such a huge advocate for local food and drink, and therefore providing essential support to local farmers and producers.

Judith Long, Food Zone Chairman for the Romsey Show, said: “Congratulations to Hampshire Fare on the group’s much deserved award! I nominated Hampshire Fare for the Award of Merit as I thought Hampshire Fare encompassed everything that the Romsey Show’s Award of Merit stands for. Hampshire Fare support so many aspects of the local rural economy and rural life by promoting the produce of our area and those who grow, process, use or sell it.

“Hampshire Fare has gone from strength to strength since it was formed over 30 years ago in 1991. However, I felt that more people outside Hampshire Fare’s membership should hear about the fantastic work Hampshire Fare does. I hope this Award may inspire others to take a greater interest in Hampshire Fare’s work, and in their own food, where it comes from and who produces it.”

Hampshire Fare support the Romsey Show by helping to promote the event as well as organising the hugely popular Skills Kitchen with an inspiring line up of top chefs.

The Award of Merit was presented to Mike Wright, Chairman, and Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare, by John Whitham, joint President of The Romsey Agricultural & Horse Show Society and Show President.

Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare, commented: “We were very proud to be presented with the Romsey Show’s Award of Merit at this year’s Show. It was such a surprise; we had no idea why we were being called up to the main show ring. It really means so much to have our work helping farmers and producers over the past 30 years recognised. The Romsey Show is one of the highlights of Hampshire’s events calendar and we enjoy working with the team organising the Show, as well as putting together the Skills Kitchen featuring a line up of some of Hampshire’s top chefs.”

Mike Wright, Chairman, Hampshire Fare, added: “This Award recognises the success of Hampshire Fare, a very small team that for over 30 years have worked hard to get Hampshire’s food and drink the recognition it deserves.”

WED 2ND NOV - SAT 12 NOV @ 7.30PM (SUN 6TH NOV @ 2.30PM) FRI 18TH NOV @ 7.30PM - SAT 19TH NOV @11AM, 2.30PM & 7.30PM

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The T.O.A.D.S Panto - Mother Goose

The Old Alresford Dramatic Society (T.O.A.D.S) has been writing, creating, and performing pantomimes in the village (Christy) hall since 1986. Following the closure of the village school and post office, and with a view to bringing the community together, an amateur drama group was formed, with people of all ages from eight – 80 years.

The pantomimes are written/edited, produced, and performed, by members of TOADS. This is the home of Dad jokes, Mum puns and slapstick. Of familiar songs, glittering costumes, stunning scenery, and many – many laughs, both deliberate and accidental. And we wouldn’t want it any other way – oh no we wouldn’t.

Pantomime is quintessentially Christmas; familiar, cosy and loved since childhood. And it’s so good to feel part of a show that is right on our doorstep, full of friendly faces old and new, and to join in the traditional audience banter, unabashed.

Titchfield Festival Theatre is where Christmas is this year!

Four fabulous festive shows and events with lots of fun, entertainment and activities for all the family. This year’s Christmas promises to be Titchfield Festival Theatre’s best-ever season yet.

This is a flavour of what TFT’s Christmas line-up features: . Meet Father Christmas: Ho Ho Ho....! Father Christmas takes a break from supervising the elves and Christmas present-making to appear at the Great Barn. Whilst the little ones meet Father

Christmas, the grown-ups can browse over 60 stalls at our This year is the 36th panto and TOADS is giving Mother Goose more twists than a contortionist playing Twister, so there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy. Written and directed by founder member Helen Gard and long-time member Jo Stokes, Mother Goose features classic nursery rhyme characters, goodies and baddies, golden eggs and fluffy fairies.

It got us thinking about both the origins of panto - pantomime literally means “all kinds” of “mime”, the timing, evolved from the Tudor “Feast of Fools” and role reversal of the lead characters, which is thought to have originated from the practice of benevolent masters who allowed their servants to be the boss on special celebratory occasions.

As for the term “Mother Goose” that seems to have originated from the 8th century with Bertrada II of Laon (mother of Charlemagne, the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire) who was a patron of children and known as “Goose-foot Bertha” or “Queen Goosefoot” due to a malformation of her foot – but who really knows? What we do know is that this year’s panto is going to be egg- cellent and we want to see you there.

Mother Goose runs December 6th - 10th inclusive, at Christy Hall, Old Alresford: Tickets are £10 via www.ticketsource.co.uk/toads

Christmas Fayre. From 17th November through to the 18th

December. . A Christmas Carol: Bah humbug! Charles Dickens' celebrated novel will really get you into the Christmas spirit. The tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, his ghostly visitors and his redemption on the night before Christmas has entertained for generations. 23rd

November – 3rd December. . A Night Before Christmas: Who still believes in Father Christmas?

TFT's 40 min show is for our younger audiences to enjoy; suitable for children aged 7 or under. There will also be a photo opportunity with the characters. Exclusively on 9th, 10th and 11th December. . The Nutcracker: Travel to the land of the sweets for our final

Christmas treat and TFT's pantomime this year. Not to be missed…. 13th - 23rd December.

Kevin Fraser is TFT’s Artistic Director and Chair of Trustees: “Christmas is a special time for families, and what better way of spending the lead up to the holiday season with a trip to your local theatre? There is plenty to enjoy; our traditional Christmas fayre at the Great Barn with a chance to meet Father Christmas; A Night Before Christmas, a show specifically written for our younger audience; A Christmas Carol, Dickens’ celebrated novel; before finishing with TFT’s very own original pantomime, The Nutcracker. We can’t wait!” Find out more by visiting TFT’s website with details of all this year’s festive fun. You can also see a trailer of A Christmas Carol here.

For more information including booking tickets, please go to www.titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.