Community hub transformation
THE refurbishment of an old grammar school could inspire the next generation of geologists and archaeologists.
Work is underway for the renovation of Gosport Gallery and Search, overseen by Hampshire Cultural Trust.
A fresh museum space, rooms for interactive learning and even a new courtyard have been promised as part of the renovation.
Bosses believe this work will transform the building intoacommunityhub,becoming the beating heart of Gosport High Street.
Venue manager Wendy Redmansaid:‘Thecommunity hascreatedthismuseum;people have selected the displays andwrittenthetexttogoalong with them.
‘This will be so much more thanjustatimelineofGosport. There’s an element of that but within that will be individual stories and a more intimate history. The construction workisprogressingreallynicely from when it started earlier this year - it’s full steam ahead at the moment.’
Alongside the museum space and galleries for hire will be a cafe and retail area, plus three interactive learning suites upstairs.
Theseroomswillallowpeople, young and old alike, to get hands-onwithgeography,geology and archaeology.
Wendy said: ‘We wanted to offer something different, and this is something you can’t do even in the London museums.
‘To actually hold a piece of taxidermy, pottery or an ammonite stone in your hands is such a unique experience, and canreallyinspirepeopletodiscover a new career path.
‘The whole ethos is that we are creating a building for the community, by the community. We’ll have lots of activities, displaysforcommunitygroups andartists,andsocialareasfor quiz nights and so on.’
Behind the main museum willbeanewcourtyard,providinganoutdoorspaceforgroups to meet.
Insidethiscourtyardwillbe personalisedtilesfromthetaga-tile campaign, where people and organisations have donated to help fund the refurbishment project.
To date, 264 tiles have been donated.
Itishopedthatthebuilding willbeopentothepublicinOctober,withafullprogrammeof activities from January 2023.
Hampshire Cultural Trust is looking for around a dozen extra volunteers for Gosport Gallery - for more information go to hampshireculture.org. uk/about-us/volunteer.