Gosport Cultural Education Project

The Gosport Cultural Education Project, in collaboration with Hampshire Music Education Hub, unites young people, educators, and the community to celebrate Gosport's heritage through creative, cross-arts experiences.

Building on our successful 2023 pilot, which saw over 200 young people explore local history through jazz, music, dance and design — with an exhibition at Gosport Discovery Centre —the project expanded significantly in 2024.

This year over 1,270 young people and educators engaged in a range of arts and cultural workshops, culminating in our first Festival at Fort Brockhurst, attended by 2,250 community members, family and friends.

The Festival included 650 primary school children in a Giant Sing, performing 'From Way Up Here', a song cycle they created alongside a composer and writer, inspired by Gosport legends and stories. Secondary school student dance groups performed Flight, their own choreographed pieces capturing the resilience of Gosport’s brent geese and Fort Brockhurst came alive as 1,000 young instrumentalists performed in the Gosport and Fareham Youth Orchestra Proms.

A weekend of community events included a family ceilidh and open mic sessions, offering young performers the opportunity to showcase their talent; while large-scale community-designed flags decorated the Fort and an exhibition in The Keep, creating a stunning visual tribute to Gosport’s heritage and creativity.

Watch for news of 2025 Festival at the Fort!

For more information, please click below to visit the Gosport Cultural Education Project website:

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Feedback

I’ve followed the development of this inspiring project since its inception and it’s a tribute to the dedication of those involved that it’s back – bigger and better for 2024. I know that the many pupils involved through local schools have been energised by the whole experience, which has enriched their sense of place and community. And of course, the historic setting of Fort Brockhurst will give the performances a dramatic edge unique to this location.

– Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Education, Councillor Steve Forster

I just want to thank you again for the amazing day today. Our children were absolutely shining with happiness throughout the performance. It is so important that the children have these fantastic performing experiences and they enjoyed every moment. I loved the story of the geese and I learned a few new facts about Gosport as well.

It was so well run and the band make it extra special. I am sure that the children will treasure the memory of today for a long time to come.

My Year 3 staff are already saying that they want to do this again next year.

– Mrs Carolyn Wilkinson, Head of St John's CE Primary School