In 1985 the Council of Europe set up European Heritage Days, to raise awareness and appreciation for Europe’s cultural heritage, and the need for its care and protection. Today, 50 countries take part, each running it in their own way to highlight the dazzling diversity of Europe’s heritage, and our intercultural links.
Heritage Open Days (HODs) is England’s largest grassroots festival of history and culture, offering free public access to thousands of heritage sites, buildings, and community-led events each September.
This is only the second year that the communities of Havant Borough have put together a coordinated set of events to mark the rich history and heritage of the borough. If the inaugural year’s offering in September 2024 was impressive, then this year’s offering which kicks off on Friday 12 September and runs through to Sunday 21 September is outstanding.
To see the full program of events including details of how to book for the limited places available, please click the image below.
All credit to the Havant Local History Group and other local community organisations who have contributed to a program of events that in this second year puts Portsmouth’s program in the shade. The community of enthusiastic volunteers which has made this year’s program possible is far too large to mention by name, however we really must highlight the role played by Neil Spurgeon. Neil, the live-wire who leads the Havant Local History Group with such infectious enthusiasm, has been instrumental in getting Havant on the national Heritage Open Days’ map. Havant is extremely fortunate to have this native of Fareham leading the Havant heritage effort from the front. Fareham’s loss is very much Havant’s gain!
Havant Civic Society 