30 YEARS OF TVAF ACHIEVEMENTS
The Test Valley Arts Foundation (TVAF) was established as a charitable organisation on 9th August 1991 by by Michael Colvin MP for Romsey, to encourage, promote and support culture and the arts within the Borough of Test Valley to enrich the quality of life in the borough.
This is not a detailed list but a snap-shot of some of the activities of the Foundation including the leverage generated and the impact.
Hilliers Arboretum
- TVAF with the Bournemouth Symphony Brass initiated and financially supported, the first concert event to take place at this venue. Since then, the Arboretum has developed its events programme attracting both international performers and audiences in their thousands.
- TVAF’s practical commitment to diversity and inclusion is illustrated by two important initiatives. Supporting the creation and development of the Eastleigh Mela – by providing a venue for artists to engage over 500 young people, increasing every year, This in turn secured a link with the Gurkha community which created the special garden at Hiller.
The Arts Bus
A retired Mobile Library was purchased to offer a mobile venue from which artists and performers could use as a base. Over the years, the Bus travelled extensively in the Borough and beyond. It was used at Winchester’s Hat Fair, in Romsey at the unveiling of the ‘War Horse’, numerous Village Fetes, Andover Festival of Motoring, The Romsey Festival, Andover Carnival, The National Trust’s Mottisfont Abbey and numerous ‘pop up happenings’.
TVBC also used it in its Summer Friday events all over the Borough.
The Romsey Show
TVAF were invited by the organisers of the Romsey Show to participate and attract young people.
Over the years artists and performers have organised some wonderful performing arts events, including storytelling and the unique ‘Make Your Mark’ event where hundreds of individuals drew, stamped and carved anything they wanted onto recycled copper. These were then assimilated into two stands which now stand in King Johns House and Andover Museum.
Romsey
- TVAF supported the Lantern Parade and Christmas Lights in Romsey with a grant and artists and involved over two hundred young people and adults.
- TVAF worked hard to support Rum’s Eg, the community craft shop and gallery that lasted three years or more in Romsey. The Best of Test Valley Artists’ Exhibition at the Gallery attracted over two-hundred entries and over two thousand people visited the exhibition.
- TVAF also supported the Romsey Young Musicians Award which attracted 50 plus entries and a concert attended by over three hundred people in Romsey Abbey.
- TVAF has and still financially assists the Romsey Festival of Chamber Music
- The Romsey Carnival particularly in its early days was well supported by TVAF – cash and advice.
Chapel Arts Studios
Andover urgently needed a space for its arts community. This ultimately lead to the acquisition of the old Dissenters Chapel.
TVAF raised over £150K for building and renovation works to turn this into a work and exhibition space. The building opened in 2009 and was funded by TVAF over the next 9 years. Amongst its many projects was the Education Projects Residency, placing arts students in local schools and many other venues.
In 2018, with the help of TVAF, Chapel Arts Studios (CAS) achieved Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio (NPO) status making it a fully independent organisation grant funded over the next five years plus to the tune of one million pounds.
This is probably TVAF’s biggest achievement.
Grant support - Investing in our Creative Community
The Colvin Young Artist and Morrison Music awards – TVAF administered these and awarded over £15k to support young artists and musicians and performances.
Art at Andover Hospital
Back in 1998, TVAF provided sponsorship towards an art frieze to be painted on the corridors at Andover Memorial Hospital.
The Churches of Test Valley
A full colour, illustrated and deeply researched book by Bryan & Diana Beggs, it is a beautiful photographic and historical odyssey taking an in-depth look at all the churches in the Borough.
The first edition sold out and a second edition was published in 2010; some copies are still available in local bookshops.
Christmas Cards
Given the task by Sir George Young, former MP, to find a suitable Christmas Card – TVAF got stuck in.
Several primary schools took part with many submissions. Kit Malthouse MP continued this project for another year. The cards were sent to hundreds of people including the Prime Minister at the time.
Now We Tell Our Tale
Based on the recollections of local people on the impact of the development of Andover in the 1960s, this play was produced by John Baxter and Roy Chatfield and performed at The Lights in 2015 by 54 young people.
Schools wanted to have the production in their local schools and TVAF received several requests for a reprise. A new version adapted for five actors, incorporating additional material was commissioned. The team toured the production in local schools, raising awareness of the town’s history, re-enforcing community cohesion and the importance of living memory. In all, over five thousand people saw the performances and interacted with the numerous workshops.
TVAF @ 25
Celebrating 25 years work and delivering 25+ events, was an opportunity for TVAF to connect with all parts of the Test Valley community.
The simple purpose was to connect artists with the community. For a three-month period with the Arts Bus as another visible presence, concluding with a Gala Night at The Lights with another performance of “Now We Tell Our Tale”.
Some of the events/happenings, NOT all, included:
- Performances from The Mighty Hump
- a Scarecrow Festival in North Baddesley
- an Artists’ Showcase in Broughton
- Kite Making at Danebury Ring
- James Nash Art Workshops
- Andover Trees’ Photographic Competition
- Community Singing in Romsey Town Hall
- Events at Mottisfont House and Hillier Gardens
- Art Exhibition at The Lights in Andover
- Artists workshops and storytelling at the Hawk Conservancy Trust
- Being present with the Bus and local artists at the Andover Festival of Motoring and the Romsey Dementia Festival. The celebration gathered momentum as it grew and estimates suggest that the festival reached over fifteen thousand people of all ages!
‘Live, Laugh, Love Test Valley’ was launched during this period. It was the creation of a specific photographic website with the aim of uniting Andover, Stockbridge and Romsey and their surrounding villages/parishes by depicting their natural beauty and varied history.
It Happened in Hampshire
TVAF were looking for something that would stimulate an interest in Hampshire’s history among children and young adults. John Baxter and Roy Chatfield came up with the idea of a 45-minute play made up of a series of short sketches performed by actors. This was first performed at The Lights in February 2019 to a full house and subsequently toured a number of schools.
The contents among other things included: Cedric’s Rebellion C480, Alfred C878, Edgar & Elfrida C964, Canute C1014, Henry 1 C1100 ……… William Petty C1662 ………Andover Workhouse Special C1846, Florence Nightingale C 1855 ………Titanic C1912, Schneider Cup C1929, Modification C1944.
The BeWiser Relationship
In December 2016, just before Christmas, BeWiser Chairman Mark Bower-Dyke and Crescens George Director of the BeWiser Academy, organised a gathering in the Guild Hall in Andover of local business. This was to showcase the work of TVAF and encourage other local companies to join them in supporting the arts and culture in Andover. Over fifty people attended and a number of firms volunteered to assist. It was a real vote of confidence by BeWiser in the work of the Foundation.
They had a particular interest in writing and supported the Talk About Festival, organised by Cat Randle involving a number of local schools encouraging young people to tell stories and perform them.
Another unique project was to collect an Anthology of young people’s stories, comments, poems illustrations … into a printed book and on-line. TVAF were overwhelmed with entries of all kinds illustrating the huge amount of creative talent there is within our young people. There was a celebration and launch of the book at The Lights with readings and live performances – the event was a sell-out and the books have sold out.
Aviva Insurance through BeWiser awarded TVAF a grant for a Digital Technology Schools Arts Project managed by Chapel Arts Studios. The objective was to use IT – software and hardware – in educational creative projects, mixing up art and IT, which is often separated in schools. Three hundred young people were involved in this.
The Poppy Project at St John’s Church North Baddesley
World War One 1914 – 1918– 100-year anniversary.
TVAF funded the Companions of St Johns to commemorate this important occasion by draping a tribute of knitted poppies from the top of their church tower to ground level. The work was all done by local volunteers – the result was stunning and hugely moving.
A photograph of the display soon found its way into several national newspapers and local TV and Radio. A brilliant local visual arts initiative seen by many!
Michelmersh Silver Band
West of England First Section Champions & National Finalists
Hidden in the village of Michelmersh is one of the best brass bands’ in the UK. TVAF has nurtured this wonderful group by supporting individual musicians, to helping with some of their tours.
Test Valley – Borough of Culture
Test Valley Borough of Culture 2020 was to be a year long celebration of Creativity, Emotion, Innovation, Music, Arts, Culture, Heritage, Drama, Poetry, People and Community throughout the Borough but the Covid lockdowns put and end to those plans. However a number went on-line or were postponed
TVAF had planned a number of projects getting support from Arts Council England and HCC -see numbers 16,17, 18 and 19 below
TVAF are proud to continue using Test Valley – Borough of Culture as a by-line.
Test Valley Tales
Led by Amanda Kane-Smith she has created a magical collection of local stories, myths and legends, beautifully illustrated by local artists.
Launched at King Johns House, Romsey the hard copy edition of a thousand sold out and a paperback version is available here.
Amanda took the stories and the book on a Borough wide tour – her storytelling skills enraptured children and adults alike. Some two thousand people of all ages came in to contact with Amanda. Discussions about a Test Valley Tales 2 are currently going on!
Finding Friends
Finding Friends was a research project initiated by TVAF about understanding the key needs, customs, challenges and opportunities with relation to the integration and representation of local ethnic minority groups – the ‘invisible’- in Test Valley.
The findings are extensive and enlightening and has done much to inform TVAF in its plans for the future. TVBC were also keen to dig deeper, using their community development network and residents survey to follow up particular findings.
The Test Valley Video Tapestry
To provide a 21st century visual depiction of local villages and landmarks by assembling a series of videos from either individuals or groups about life in Test Valley 2020.
Despite having several meetings/workshops with community groups, Parish Councils and individuals – Covid lockdowns did not help, we got a dribble of contributions but unfortunately not much was forthcoming. The project was discontinued. Perhaps an idea for another time?
Make it Expressive
Elizabeth Hammond completed four days of creative workshops at Icknield School and at the Enham Trust.
Some 200 people engaged in the activities which was very well received with lovely feedback from both places. They are ALL calling for more!
The Monologue Project
Roy Chatfield put together this project; as the title suggests, three actors brought to life some funny and very moving stories from a variety of local individuals.
Salisbury Arts Centre hosted the whole production which was a sellout.
Hampshire Open Art – Test Valley Arts Trail
Hampshire Open Art is a well-established County wide weekend over the August Bank holiday.
Post Covid, TVAF were approached to help get the momentum going again and so published a ‘Test Valley Arts Trail’ indicating all the venues that were open to the public.
TVAF has also provided funds to help villages exhibit local artists. In Broughton over 1200 visitors have attended this exhibition bringing in over seventy thousand pounds worth of sales.
Andover Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Street Festival
On Friday 3rd June 2022 from 11.00am to 5.00pm Andover celebrated.
It was a warm sunny day with food and drink stalls – some from Andover’s local ethnic minority community – a performing space with a full programme of dance and live music, magic shows and an interactive arts trail taking in a number of venues in the town including the shopping centre, Museum and Library.
Over five thousand people enjoying the buzz. All ages and very cosmopolitan – thoroughly enjoyable.
Our Sun is Already Rising - Ukraine & The Test Valley
During the summer of 2023 at the Broughton Hampshire Open Art exhibition, TVAF purchased a work of art by Maryna Melnyk, a Ukrainian Artist, entitled ‘Our Sun is Already Rising’ because it was an excellent piece of art work.
But we also wanted to present it to the Test Valley Borough Council as a symbol of our community’s support for Ukraine’s struggle to retain its democracy and independence.
We also wanted it to act as practical ‘thank you’ to the Borough’s citizens who were ‘looking after’ some 400 plus Ukrainian families. TVAF Trustees and the artist presented the painting to the Borough Council on 25th October 2023 and it is displayed in the Council’s HQ along with the Test Valley Tapestries which were commissioned for the millennium.
Honorable mentions
TVAF have always supported both individuals and local groups.
Individual creatives, be they musicians, artists, writers, actors, dancers or anyone else have received grants or what we prefer to call investments, from £50 to £500.
Groups, be they well established Arts/Cultural Organisations or smaller fledging co-operatives, have all had a helping hand to achieve their own ambitions.
The impact of this support is always difficult to quantify – an individual may be successful by earning a living from their art or become famous, others may change direction. The local groups both large and small have events which attract several thousand people to a handful in someone’s living room.
Here are a list of just some of them:
- Unity Arts Studio
- King Johns House
- Whitchurch Childrens Festival
- Andover Young Musicians Award
- Romsey Festival
- Andover “A” Fest
- Andover Rocks
- St Johns Companions, N Baddesley
- Andover Trees
- Romsey Chamber Music Festival