What's On
Story Quest: Hidden Treasures of Ballard Water Meadow
Join Cyril Squirrel and his wild friends on an interactive, illustrated adventure around Ballard Water Meadows!
Written and illustrated by local artist Charlotte Moore, this Story Quest was created in collaboration with the New Milton community and is perfect for children aged 6-11. Collect a copy from venues around New Milton, download a digital version, or join us at Ballard Lake for a special free launch event, with guided tours, art and craft activities, storytelling and more.
Monday 23rd October 11am-2pm and ongoing
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Venue: Ballard Lake
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Writers of the New Forest
The New Forest and nearby surroundings has inspired and attracted writers for centuries and continues to do so to this day.
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Join local historian, Nick Saunders, to find out more about writers who have lived in, or based their writing on, the New Forest, and find out more about featured genres including gothic horror, historical fiction, and writing for children. A Q&A will follow this event.
Running time 50 mins + questions
Wednesday 25th October, 7pm
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Venue: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
Get Tickets Here
Play on Words Open Mic
A monthly platform for poetry, spoken word and live literature to find new audiences in a warm and supportive environment at Forest Arts Centre, New Milton. An ideal space to trial new work or perfect delivery of existing material.
Tuesdays, monthly: 24th Oct, 21st Nov, 5th Dec, 7.30-9.30pm
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Venue: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
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Get tickets Here
Funding Routes for Writers
With only 13.7% of authors earning a living solely through writing, it can help to access funding streams to support a creative practice or to get paid for creative projects based in the community. Join Kate Offord, Relationship Manager for Literature at Arts Council England, and ArtfulScribe for an overview of potential funding routes with time for Q&A and networking afterwards.
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Running time 60 mins + questions
Thursday 26th October, 6pm
Free
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Venue: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
Get Tickets Here
Tongue Fu
Poets, writers and storytellers take centre stage, accompanied by the quick-witted, improvising musicians of the Tongue Fu Band. Dive deep into the human experience and connect with life's rich tapestry through featured sets from Rachel Rose Reid, Belinda Zhawi, and Damian O'Vitch.
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Running time 120 mins
Friday 27th October, 7.30pm
£10
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Venue: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
Get Tickets Here
Heritage Walks for Writers and Non-Writers
Follow a guide around Milton Village and learn the stories behind buildings and sites of interest, like the poor house, churchyard and graves where notable Miltonians lie at rest. This walk will start and end at Forest Arts Centre, where there will be opportunities for questions, refreshments, and conversation.
Running time 90 mins + questions
Saturday 28th October, 10am
£5
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Venue: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
Get Tickets Here
Writers' Day: Writing for Children
Join children's authors, Ali Sparkes (My Sister is a Dog, Stairwell Books), Yarrow Townsend (Map of Leaves, Chicken House Books) and Carole Smith (Have You Seen the New Forest Unicorn) for a day including workshops, panel discussion, 1:1 feedback, readings and an open mic for participants to share short extracts of work in progress
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Sunday 29th October, 10am
£45
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Venue: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
Get Tickets Here
Writing for Wellbeing
Creative Writing can help with achieving mental clarity, raising self-esteem, assisting in expressing emotions in a healthy way, boosting creativity and strengthening the memory.
This gentle workshop will explore poems and prompts and encourage self-expression in a safe and supportive environment. Participants need to register with Solent Mind, be over 18, and living in the New Forest facing struggles with mental health.
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Running time 120 mins
Thursday 2nd November, 1.30pm
Free
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Venue: The Hollies, I Barton Court Road, New Milton BH25 6NN
Register with Solent Mind here
Stairwell Down South!
Join Stairwell Books for a night of readings, featuring Ali Sparkes, Rebecca Smith, Susie Williamson, Stella Davis, Jennifer Keevil, Simon Culleton, Victoria L. Humphreys and David Hill, writing in genres including poetry, literary fiction and writing for children. Writing for children will feature first.
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Friday 3rd November, 7.30pm
Free
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Venue: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
Get Tickets Here
Stairwell Book Fair
Representing genres including literary fiction, historical fiction, writing for middle grades and young adults, LGBTQ+I fantasy, and poetry, today's book fair has something for everyone, including author readings and workshops. For anyone aspiring to write, there will be free sessions to whet your appetites
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Saturday 4th November, 10am
Free
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Venue: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
See Forest Arts Centre for schedule.
Historical Facts, Inspiring Places
Customs men shooting smugglers, smugglers murdering riding officers, and Indian army hospital camps form some of the tantalising tales to inspire young writers to use local history as a launch-pad for new creative writing.
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For people aged 7-14 years
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Saturday 4th November, 11am
Free
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Venue: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
Get Tickets Here
New Forest Writers Group
A regular group meeting on the first Monday of each month, and founded to encourage people to keep writing. All writing is welcomed - short stories, flash fiction, memoirs, novels, poetry and prose.
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Monday 6th November, 10.15am
Free
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Venue: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
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