Updated: Oct 16, 2019
September marks the start of a new season full of classes, courses and participatory groups for all ages and abilities, for Folio New Forest. These groups offer a chance to learn, grow, meet new people, and socialise, bringing you all the health and wellbeing benefits of taking part. Take a look at the wide range of arts and cultural classes and courses that can be found in the New Forest...
Hanger Farm Arts Centre has relaunched this year with an array of new shows for everyone, all affordable and on your doorstep. There is a packed autumn season of exciting entertainment in a characterful 18th century barn, with a guaranteed friendly welcome. This year the Arts Centre has also entered a new era as part of Minstead Trust. Minstead Trust is a charity that supports people with learning disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilled lives. It is providing training opportunities for people with learning disabilities and running inclusive drama groups. Plus every ticket bought now helps people with learning disabilities to live more independent lives.
Coda Music Trust start their new season with some new courses. Coda Rusty Rockers starts on the 24th September and is aimed at over 50's that just want to turn up and jam! If you don't yet play then you may like Coda's new Adult Beginners Acoustic Guitar Course for ages 16+ starts on the 11th September. The season also welcomes back the Coda Health and Happiness Choir for over 50's. Singing in a choir is beneficial in many ways. As well as improving our sense of happiness and wellbeing, group singing also has positive effects on physical health, which can improve life expectancy and quality of life.
New Forest Heritage Centre are delighted to start the season off with award winning wildlife photographer David Bailey, who will be exhibiting his work at the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst from Saturday 14th September. You can also join them for New Forest Fiction - Past And Present on the 20th September, for an exclusive literary evening celebrating the best fictional authors that have used the New Forest for their inspiration and setting.
Forest Forge Theatre welcome back all their participation classes in September. With over 55's drama group Act Your Age starting again on the 16th September. Tots, Minis and Youth Theatre catering for 18-months to 21 years, return on the 18th. The Waterside Drama Club returns on the 25th September in Blackfield, and the second Home Education Drama Club starts on the 24th September in Ringwood. Thursday nights from the 19th also welcome back GAME, fun play for adults!
St Barbe Museum opens its new exhibition Neo-Romantic Art: the McDowall Collection on the 6th September, this exhibition is drawn from a remarkable private collection developed by Nicolas and Frances McDowall since the 1950s. Also on the 6th the exhibition Wellworthy (Gallery 3) opens, celebrating one hundred years since John Howlett changed the name of his engineering company to Wellworthy Ltd. By the 1970s, Wellworthy employed 1,800 people in Lymington and had 5,000 employees overall working in factories in Lymington, Ringwood, Salisbury, Weymouth and Bridgwater. You'll also find a selection of adult learning and family events taking place at the museum throughout September. Including Relax Kids - Back to School Booster on the 3rd September, to help children apprehensive about a new year group or school.
hArt has two regular Wellbeing Wednesday open sessions for adults, one running weekly in Lymington at the Cricket Club open to all, join them from 10.30 – 12.30 on a Wednesday. A fortnightly group runs at the Avonway Community Centre also on Wednesdays, open to adults and runs from 11.00 – 13.00. * FULL * ALL PLACES FOR THIS GROUP ARE CURRENTLY FILLED. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE WAITING LIST, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE ON 01590 435045 OR EMAIL contact@hart.works. THEY WILL HAVE OTHER GROUPS AND PROJECTS STARTING SOON. Thank you.
From the 21st-28th September, SpudWORKS welcomes new exhibition, Place. The exhibition will hold paintings from Paul Best and Rebecca Galbraith exploring the theme 'Place'. SpudWORKS Architecture and design workshops for ages 13-21, SPUD Youth, continue on Wednesday evenings from 17.30 - 19.30.
Forest Arts has a wide variety of classes and workshops starting in September, including Play in a Day on the 14th September, create a play in a day and learn how to develop characters and perform! There's Life Drawing classes, Parkinsons Dance classes and Beginners Mixed Media Find Art, as well as a huge range of fitness and creative classes for all ages and abilities to work the mind and body.