Basingstoke’s My Home: Local Stories with Global Roots
The Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery
Runs until 16 March 2025
Basingstoke’s rich and diverse cultural heritage is celebrated through community voices in an exhibition at the town’s Willis Museum.
Basingstoke's My Home: Local Stories with Global Roots showcases the diverse communities that have shaped Basingstoke's identity through personal stories, objects and artistic interpretations. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this community-curated exhibition brings together oral histories, photographs and cherished objects that tell the story of settlement and community building in the town.
The exhibition was developed by Hampshire Cultural Trust in partnership with members of the community, and explores four central themes: work, religion, identity and community. Nine personal stories spoken by community members 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.
"Archaeological evidence shows that Basingstoke has long been a meeting point for different communities," commented Tabitha Gunstone-Pollock, exhibitions manager at the Willis Museum. "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. 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 & 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 https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/event/basingstokes-my-home-local-stories-global-roots .