Basingstoke’s My Home: Local Stories with Global Roots, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, showcases the diverse communities that have shaped the town’s identity through personal stories, objects and photographs.
The exhibition, developed by Hampshire Cultural Trust in partnership with members of the community, explores four central themes: work, religion, identity and community.
It brings together stories, photographs and cherished objects that tell the story of settlement and community building in the town.
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Members of the community collective who worked with Hampshire Cultural Trust to create Basingstoke’s My Home: Local Stories with Global Roots (Image: Hampshire Cultural Trust) Nine personal stories were recorded for visitors to listen to, including a powerful account from an NHS worker sharing their experience of the Covid-19 pandemic and a local business owner reflecting on their successes and challenges in setting up a shop.
Tabitha Gunstone-Pollock, exhibitions manager at the Willis Museum, said: “Archaeological evidence shows that Basingstoke has long been a meeting point for different communities.
“This exhibition brings that history into the present day, demonstrating how the town continues to welcome diverse communities.”
Visitors to the exhibition will discover a rich tapestry of personal objects, including traditional clothing, religious statues and documents relating to people’s journeys to Basingstoke.
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‘I was born and bred in Ghana and brewed in England’ is just one of the exhibits (Image: Hampshire Cultural Trust) Contemporary stories, such as the Hindu Society’s charitable cricket events and community support networks for new residents, highlight the town’s vibrant community spirit today.
The exhibition is enhanced by specially commissioned works from illustrator Nami Ralph, who has worked closely with community participants to create lively interpretations of their stories.
These artistic elements complement the personal objects and spoken stories, creating a multi-layered record of contemporary life in Basingstoke.
Vanessa Mason, professional and practice development facilitator, minority ethnic staff network co-chair at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and a representative of the community collective that worked with Hampshire Cultural Trust to create the exhibition, said: “This exhibition celebrates what makes Basingstoke special – its diversity and strong community bonds.
“Through the shared objects and stories, we can see how different communities have contributed to the town’s identity and continue to shape its future.”
Admission to Basingstoke’s My Home: Global Stories with Local Roots is free, and the exhibition is open during the Willis Museum’s normal opening hours.
More information is available at hampshireculture.org.uk/event/basingstokes-my-home-local-stories-global-roots.