Damerham - Snowdrops in the churchyard in February

Green Men of Hampshire - The Wessex Hotel in Winchester has a stained glass screen by John Piper, inspired by the foliate heads in the Cathedral of St Swithun.

Isle of Wight - Garlic Festival in August. Climate change has made Wight a perfect place to grow many varieties of garlic.

Mudeford Quay - Blessing of the Waters, on Rogation Sunday (the Sunday prior to Ascension Day) the vicar of All Saints gives a blessing from a boat, service on the quay, town band and town officials present. Rev'd Hugh Williams, +44(0)1202 488645.

New Alresford - Snowdrops at Brandy Mount House, in February (one of three national collections)

Parish Maps of Hampshire

Alverstone, Apse Heath, Arreton, Bonchurch, East Dean, Eling, Fordingbridge, Godshill, Havant, Kings Sembourne, Medstead, Milford on Sea, Nelson Ward, Nettlestone, Newchurch, Oakley, Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, Seaview, Swanmore, Test Valley, Totton, Vernham Dean, Warren Park.

Tichborne - Tichborne Dole, March - A field in Tichborne Park, near Alresford, is called The Crawls after the efforts of Lady Tichborne for the poor of the village. In the 12th century she, a near cripple, begged her husband to look after the needy of the village after her death. He promised to give the yield of all the land she could circle before a lit torch burnt out, and was surprised that she returned having dragged herself around 23 acres. A curse that if the dole was stopped the name of Tichborne would die out and the house become ruined is still taken seriously and flour from a local mill is given to pensioners on Lady Day, 25th March.

Warnford - Snowdrops at St Wilfrid's Church in February.

Wickham - Horse Fair, in mid-May. The main road through the town is closed for the purpose of the horse dealers, while a funfair occupies the main square.

Winchester - Cowslip Sunday was celebrated on the first Sunday in May 2002 in the wildflower meadows between St Catherine's Hill and the city. The meadowland, which this year were covered in around 50,000 cowslips, were restored to compensate for the loss of Twyford Down but are now themselves in danger of being developed as a park and ride car park. The Winchester Meadows Conservation Alliance, who organise Cowslip Sunday, are trying to protect these chalk grasslands and the water meadows of Winchester. Contact Keith Story on +44(0)1962 854880. Winchester Hat Fair takes place over a Friday, Saturday & Sunday in late June / early July, is Britain's longest running festival of street theatre gets its name from the traditional voluntary contribution of money in the hat to street performers. Over 40 companies from across the world take part with circus, stunts, clowns, new world music, and a market with food stalls, clothes, jewellery, arts and crafts. The fair traditionally opens with Schools Day on the Friday when local children take part in the carnival procession through the city to the Cathedral Green for a day of entertainment. There is extraordinary street theatre in the High Street and large theatre performances and cabaret in the evenings all through the weekend. Winchester has also hosted Hampshire Water Festival since its inauguration in 2003. It is organised by Hampshire County Council with help from Common Ground. Read more about the Festival and the earlier Common Ground Water Market in Blandford Forum here. See also Green Men of Hampshire.

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Apple Day, October 21st

Find events in Hampshire and across the country on the APPLE DAY EVENTS LIST
or read about Hampshire Orchards and Orchard Produce

TELL US about an event you are holding : email info [at] commonground.org.uk