The Sustainable Conservation Trust saw incredible success with its Friday 13th @ Slaughterhouse event, held as part of the national Heritage Open Days. Located at the historic Slaughterhouse in Royal Clarence Yard, Gosport, the event attracted over 300 visitors, all eager to explore the heritage and creativity on offer. Below is a short video summarising a day packed with interactive activities, demonstrations and exhibitions celebrating local history, craftsmanship and creativity:
Kicking off the day was a drop-in Farm Yard Circus session, where participants of all ages had the chance to try their hand at circus skills—a playful, family-friendly start that set the tone for a fun-filled day. Local craftsman Paul Bailey was also a standout feature, drawing attention throughout the event with his live demonstrations of traditional woodgrain and marbling techniques. Another highlight was the Plan B youth charity’s arts workshops. Local students demonstrated their creative skills in music and craft, through a drumstick-making activity, empahsising the importance of art and music in inspiring future creativity.
Art enthusiasts were particularly drawn to the screen-printing workshop hosted by resident artist Spencer, who explained the rich history behind the medium and guided visitors through the process of making their own limited-edition prints. This hands-on experience allowed attendees to not only learn about traditional printing techniques but also create something to take home as a personal memento of the event.
Also serving as a gallery space, the Slaughterhouse showcased three compelling exhibitions: Alleyways of Gosport, a look at Gosport’s hidden histories through street art and artist-curated tours; Spatial Fragments, an exhibition born from a year-long artist residency in the Historic Dockyard that explored the theme of urban transformation; and an immersive installation by multimedia artist Thomas Buckley. In addition, local printmaker Sally Tyrie presented her latest pieces, inspired by the Slaughterhouse itself.
Special mention should be given to the Mayor and Mayoress of Gosport, who took time out of their busy schedule to attend the event, lending official support and joining in with the activities. Their presence underscored the importance of projects like this in fostering community spirit and preserving local heritage.
The Slaughterhouse’s Heritage Open Days success is a testament to SCT’s ongoing work to transform this historic building into a community hub for art, heritage, and education and aligns with SCT’s larger conservation goals of sustainable regeneration through reuse, supporting local talent and fostering community engagement.
Events like these are crucial in helping the public understand the importance of both conserving historic spaces and adapting them for modern use, and the enthusiasm and high turnout for Friday 13th @ Slaughterhouse reflect a growing appreciation for the role of heritage in shaping the future. Visitors were invited to contribute their ideas and opinions on the future of the Slaughterhouse building, and the input collected will help shape SCT’s future plans to ensure that the building remains a vital part of the community.
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