Latest News

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Following the successful Invasion Exhibition, the City Council is delighted to bring to Salisbury the nationally and internationally acclaimed Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition, which showcases the very best in Wildlife Photography from across the globe. It is an international leader in the artistic representation of the natural world and a competition that photographers worldwide aspire to.

The exhibition, which is organised by The Natural History Museum in London, will run from 20 July – 17 August in the stunning setting of the Banqueting Hall within Salisbury Guildhall and will open from 10am – 5pm Monday – Saturday and 10am – 4pm on Sundays.

Exhibition highlights include, the much coveted title of Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year awarded to Hungarian photographer Bence Máté for his image A marvel of ants, a simple shot that captures the complexity of the behaviour of leaf-cutter ants in the Costa Rican rainforest. Máté is clearly a master of his craft with an artist’s eye. Fergus Gill from Scotland was crowned Veolia Environnement Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year for the second year in a row. His image of a fieldfare, The frozen moment, was judged to be the most memorable of all the pictures by photographers aged 17 or under.

Claire Burden, Business Manager for Salisbury City Council said, “This is an amazing exhibition and a real coup for Salisbury, to coincide with the exhibition we are planning a series of events to complement the theme. Check out our website for details of photography workshops in conjunction with Trinity Photography and other organisations. The exhibition will certainly appeal to keen photographers and wildlife lovers alike.”

Tickets are on sale now at www.salisburyguildhall.co.uk
Exhibition information for visitors:
Venue: Salisbury Guildhall
Dates: 20 July – 17 August 2011
Opening times: 10am - 5pm Monday to Saturday / 10am – 4pm Sundays
Visitor enquiries: 01722 342862
Admission: Adult £3.50 / Concessions £2.50
Children under 16 free – maximum 2 children per paying adult
Private hire / workshops: 01722 342870
Website: www.salisburyguildhall.co.uk

Half Term Special Offer

To help keep the costs down this half term, we are offering children free entry to Invasion with every full paying adult and whats more adults only pay £2 each!

Maximum 3 children per adult.

Tickets now on sale via our website or turn up on the day!

Offer valid 29 May until 6 june 2011.

*Please note if you have already pre-purchased tickets for this half term at the regular price, we are happy to refund the difference!

Strictly Tea Dance

Fans of ballroom dancing are in for a real treat on Sunday 29 May from 2pm until 5pm at The Guildhall Salisbury, when professional ballroom instructors take to the dance floor.

The event which is part of Salisbury International Arts Festival is open to all ages and abilities. Salisbury City Council who have helped organise the dance hope that this one off event will pave the way for future tea dances at the venue. Business Manager Claire Burden said, “Having just reopened the doors we were really keen for the Guildhall to be part of the festival this year, and we have enjoyed working with the team to organise this event. The idea is this dance is for all ages and abilities and I hope to see as many people as possible enjoying the dancing and of course the tea and cake!”

Tickets for the event are priced at £3.50 each to include refreshments and are on sale now at www.salisburyfestival.co.uk or by calling the box office on 0845 241 9651

Invasion is imminent.....

Salisbury City Council is proud to announce the arrival of its first large-scale touring exhibition: Invasion. This spectacular, enthralling and engaging sci-fi exhibition contains a huge collection of out-of-this-world props and costumes including exhibits from Alien, Predator, Star Wars, X-Files, Robocop, Mar Attacks and many many more.

Invasion will be held at Salisbury Guildhall from Wednesday 25th May – Wednesday 22nd June 2011. Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm and

Sunday 10am – 4pm.

Tickets are on sale at www.salisburyguildhall.co.uk or can be purchased directly from the Guildhall on the day you wish to attend.

This gripping exhibition is perfect for families, sci fi enthusiasts and the whole community alike. Come along and explore this exhibition of eerie extraterrestrials and learn the history behind their making.

Our giant Darth Vader will entice you in with his chilling gravelly voice. But watch out the terrifying queen alien from the horror film Alien and the sharp-toothed Predator from Alien vs. Predator could be waiting around the corner! But, don't worry, not all the aliens are terrifying tykes; there are some cute ones too like an Ewok from Star Wars.

Salisbury City Councils, Business Manager Claire Burden says: “This is the first of many touring exhibitions coming to the Guildhall and this is definitely one not to be missed! Invasion will appeal to all ages and we look forward to welcoming you to the Guildhall."

Tickets are now on sale at www.salisburyguildhall.co.uk

The Guildhall, Salisbury reopens 3 May!

The Guildhall – Salisbury will once again open the doors on Tuesday 3 May 2011, following a £1.2 million pound refurbishment project.

The building owned by Salisbury City Council and dating from 1795 has been shut for the past year as extensive work is carried out to the Grade II listed building.

City Clerk Reg Williams said, “The City Council believes that the Guildhall should be retained in public ownership and accessible to the public. The Guildhall refurbishment project has been a wonderful journey for both Councillors and staff; the building has revealed many secrets along the way and has provided new information which will add to the history. The new look Guildhall is simply stunning and we look forward to showing as many people around, especially in the first few weeks as we settle in as a Council.”

The venue has been used predominantly in the past by the Courts and has hosted numerous events in the social calendar for the City. With a new look building, the aim is to create a hub for the city residents’ right in the heart of Salisbury.

The venue is also hoping to attract more visitors with a new programme of events led by Business Manager Claire Burden, she said, “My vision is that residents and visitors are inspired to come to the Guildhall and take in both the event and the historical value of the building. The idea is to host a number of large touring exhibitions each year and a series of both free and local exhibitions for all to enjoy. The team is currently putting together a three year programme of these exhibitions and one off events and of course private hires such as weddings and other celebrations. The Guildhall will become a destination and add to Salisbury’s local, national and international appeal.”

The first exhibition is entitled Local Faces. This is a black and white photographic exhibition run by Trinity Photography in conjunction with the City Council. The exhibition opens on Tuesday 3 May and will run until 15 May. It is a celebration of some familiar and less well known faces that are part of the City life and showcases people who play vital roles in making our City work.

Free to enter the exhibition will be open from 10am until 5pm Monday to Saturday and 12 midday until 4pm on Sundays.

To launch the Guildhall in style, Salisbury City Council have worked with the local Blue Badge Guides to provide free tours of the building throughout the week to celebrate the grand reopening and invite you all in to take a look at the wonderful refurbishment project.

Keep up to date with the Guildhall and its events online at www.salisburyguildhall.co.uk