Our Trustees

• Nicky Gottlieb
• Rob Rees
• Jane Pike
• Madelaine Smith
• Annie Reilly
• Paul Blackburn
• Richard North

Our History

Hampshire History Trust grew out of Winchester Heritage Open Days, one of the biggest Heritage Open Days hubs in the country. 

In 2015, Heritage Open Days barely existed in Winchester. This all changed when local resident Nicky Gottlieb decided that they should be an integral part of the local cultural calendar and, in 2016, single handedly arranged a programme of over 40 free events in and around the City. The following year she was joined by Becky Brown, and together they worked full-time unpaid year-round to maintain and develop Winchester’s largest community heritage event. 

Since then, the festival has expanded and diversified its offering and, in 2019, there were over 140 events, including expert talks, exhibitions and live theatre, as well as chocolate making and Regency dancing. In 2020, we went online in response to the pandemic. It was also the year that Hampshire History Trust was set up to oversee Winchester Heritage Open Days, and to take on other projects. 

Committed to community participation, we believe in creating opportunities to discover and celebrate Hampshire’s rich and diverse history and heritage, and in sharing stories that connect people, create meaning, inspire curiosity, and bring enjoyment for all ages. We aim to do this by coordinating Winchester Heritage Open Days every September, and to run free and low cost history and educational projects such as our podcast channel ‘Hampshire HistBites’.  

Our future ambition is to set up an annual history festival to include talks, lectures and guided walks, exhibitions, workshops and children’s activities, visits to historic buildings, and living history events. We also intend to launch a blue plaque scheme, starting in Winchester.