District Dispatch - 11 February 2025

As Harsha was telling you last week, we are starting and ending the half term holidays with free laser light shows, choreographed to music. The first shows will take place on Saturday 15 February at Petworth House, with the first one at 5.30pm and the second at 6.45pm — both of which will be different displays. Petworth House will also be opening their beautiful house for free from 10.30am until 3.30pm on 15 February — so why not make a day of it and explore what Petworth House and the town has to offer before the shows begin! There will also be crafts, activities and music taking place during the day, thanks to the Culture Spark project.

Then at the end of the week — on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 February — we will be holding our free laser light shows at Chichester Canal Basin for the third year running! This year will be bigger and better than ever, with a new immersive water screen with film clips projected on it. On both nights, the shows, which will be choreographed to music, will take place at 6pm and 7.30pm. We're proud to be partnering with the National Trust and the Chichester Canal Basin to deliver these exciting shows, which are being funded using grants from the UK Government, secured by Chichester District Council.

During the week, why not visit The Novium Museum, which has launched two exciting exhibitions. Their headline exhibition, 'I Grew Up 80s', captures what it was like from a child's perspective when music was on cassettes, shell suits and leg warmers were must-haves, and everyone received a Rubik's Cube for Christmas! Not only does it provide a nostalgic trip down memory lane for many, but it also provides an insight for younger visitors to see the differences between then and now. Between 14 and 22 February, there will even be a retro pop-up arcade — delivered through the Culture Spark project — which will be included in the exhibition admission price! Booking in advance is advised, for more information please visit The Novium Museum's What's On page (opens new window).

The museum has also launched its 'Out & Proud in Chichester' exhibition. This celebrates the history of Chichester Pride and the inspiring stories of our local LGBTQ+ history, resilience and pride. You can discover powerful stories and explore the journey of this vibrant community through a project dedicated to visibility, education and celebration. Visit The Novium Museum's Out & Proud in Chichester web page (opens new window). Both of the exhibitions mentioned also have a number of additional events and talks that you may also be interested in, so visit The Novium Museum's What's On (opens new window) to find out more.

From 12 February, people can also explore the vibrant colours of the Chichester District with a free exhibition of open-air paintings at Chichester Cathedral. Created by local artists, the 'Plein Air' — or open-air — artworks will be on display until 30 March 2025, as part of an exhibition that is being delivered as through the Culture Spark project — a creative partnership between Chichester District Council, Chichester Festival Theatre and Pallant House Gallery.

Inspired by the Festival of Flowers at Chichester Cathedral and the Still Life exhibition at Pallant House Gallery, Culture Spark welcomed 75 local artists to participate in Plein Air painting sessions last summer. The workshops took place in three beautiful locations - Woolbeding Gardens near Midhurst, Petworth House & Park, and Bishop's Palace Gardens in Chichester — and many of the artworks created during these sessions will be displayed in the upcoming exhibition.
 

Remember to also visit our What's On listings and sign up to our monthly email newsletter, so that you don't miss out on future events happening in the district.

Best Wishes

Cllr John Cross

Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Place at Chichester District Council