10 things to do in and around Salisbury this February

There are exhibitions, gigs, storytelling at Stonehenge and panto performances.

1. Munro Wright exhibition

The Glamour of Abstracts, an exhibition by Saatchi Art abstract artist Munro Wright, launches at Fisherton Mill in Salisbury from today (Saturday February 12). 

A collection of his abstract paintings will be on display until Saturday March 12.

Munro’s abstracts are painted in French acrylics on English Winsor and Newton professional grade canvases stretched on wood frames.

Admission is free. For more visit: fishertonmill.co.uk

Picture by Munro Wright 

2. Free gigs

Salisbury Revival has announced it will be holding three events.

Students of Wiltshire College and University Centre will be performing and organising three live music events.

The first will be a night of acoustic acts at the George & Dragon in Castle Street on Tuesday February 15, 7pm.

The second on Wednesday 16, 8pm, is at Brown Street.

The final event takes place at The Winchester Gate on Thursday 17 with live performances from live bands and solo acts. Doors open at 7.30pm.

All events are free entry. Read more here. 

3. Prince Philip exhibition

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who died last year, was Colonel-in-Chief of the infantry regiments of Wiltshire and then Berkshire for almost seven decades.

A new exhibition at The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum in Salisbury celebrates his commitment to the regiments through a series of amalgamations from 1953 until 2020.

It will open on Saturday February 19 and run until the end of November.

The display will include his ceremonial uniform, photographs, documents and historic artefacts showing his service to the infantrymen of Wiltshire and Berkshire from the middle of the 20th century to just a year before his death at the age of 99.

For more information about the exhibition and the museum, which is located in The Close, visit: thewardrobe.org.uk

4. Salisbury Group of Artists

Salisbury Group of Artists’ member, Loraine Sherlock, will be exhibiting some of her paintings and textile work this February.

The work will be on display in the Wood Bar at Parkwood Health and Fitness Centre on London Road, Salisbury.

Each month throughout the coming year a selection of artists from the group will also have the opportunity to display their artwork, with kind permission from the Parkwood management.

For more information about the group visit: salisburygroupofartists.co.uk

5. Storytelling at Stonehenge 

Enjoy storytelling and archaeological activities at Stonehenge.

Red-hatted story tellers will be captivating visitors every weekend with tales of Stonehenge childhood, Victorian picnickers, narrow-misses and how sleepy Salisbury Plain became home to the Airmen’s Cross.

The storytelling takes place at the monument every hour, on the hour each weekend this month.

Picture credit: English Heritage 

Half term will see a new explorer quest launched, which will lead kids on an adventure around the prehistoric site, as well as the return of the forensic archaeology activity as families come face to face with the people of Stonehenge.

Facial reconstruction experts will be demonstrating how archaeological evidence and modelling clay are used to reconstruct what people looked like 4500 years ago.

Visitors can have a go and gaze into the eyes of a man who once walked in the Stonehenge landscape before the stone circle was even built.

Visit: english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge

6. Salisbury Arts Centre 

From craft sessions to singing workshops with Wiltshire Youth Choir and Make Music sessions with Salisbury Area Young Musicians Alice Poppleton and David Garcia, there is something for all ages this half term.

Wiltshire Creative has announced its programme of events running during the week of February 21.

Wiltshire Youth Choir presents Come and Sing Workshop on February 21, 10am to 12pm. Get Creative – Make Music! 2022 is on February 23, 10.15am or 1.30pm.

Salisbury Art Centre presents Craft with Wiltshire Scrapstore on February 24, 10.15am to 11.00am, 11.30am to 12.15pm, and 12.45pm to 1.30pm.

Enjoy Saturday Storytime on February 26, 10.30am to 11.15am and 11.45am to 12.30pm.

On February 26, there is a new SHIFT Social at Salisbury Arts Centre.

Visit: wiltshirecreative.co.uk

7. Boscombe Down Aviation Collection

Boscombe Down Aviation Collection (BDAC) in Old Sarum has two new additions.

The museum, which is located at Hangar One South on Old Sarum Airfield, has added to its collection with the arrival of an Avro 707A WZ736 and English Electric P1A WG763, which came from Manchester.

English Electric P1A Pictures by Herbie Fatherly 

ALSO READ: Boscombe Down Aviation Collection welcome new aircrafts

Visit: boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk

8. Alderholt Drama Club 

Alderholt Drama Club is back for its 72nd annual pantomime.

This year it is Pinocchio, written by Doreen Moger.

The show runs until Saturday 12, starting at 7.45pm. There is also a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm.

Tickets are available in advance from the village Co-op store and can also be purchased on the door.

9. Big Model Train Event 

A Big Model Train Event is being held by the Friends of Fordingbridge Parish Church.

It takes place on February 19 and 20 from 10am to 4pm in the Church Hall, which is located opposite St Mary’s Church.

Model train enthusiast Neil Starmer will be bringing an extensive collection of engines and rolling stock which he runs on a maze of track that covers half of the hall floor.

He is particularly proud of his rare model engines.

Neil and his team keep up a steady collection of trains, with their coaches and wagons running simultaneously on the tracks throughout both days.

Parking is available along with drinks and refreshments.

10. Godshill Pottery Talk 

The surprise discovery of a journal kept by a member of a unique local bohemian community involved in pottery, wood carving, ventriloquism and spiritualism will be the subject of a free talk by Sonia Green at the AGM of Friends of Fordingbridge Museum.

It takes place at 2.30pm on February 17 at Avonway Community Centre.

Sonia Green, of Millersford Press, will talk about the discovery and subsequent publication of Chris Charman’s memoir of his family and life in Godshill.

The talk will also highlight the work of Tom Charman, Christopher’s father, in particular his wood carvings and drawings of fairies and spirits. There will also be a guest appearance of Marmaduke, Tom’s ventriloquist’s dummy.

Copies of Chris’ book, In the Spirit of Godshill, will be available for purchase after the talk.

The event is free but donations are welcome. 

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