A £1,000 grant has been awarded to a touring theatre coming to village venues at Sheet, Conford near Liphook, Alton, Ropley, Droxford and Hambledon.

The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company of Eastbourne will be touring in the summer with their production of Miss Popplewell’s Garden.

They will be performing at village recreation grounds and other open spaces like the Millennium Field in Sheet.

The one-off community grant was made by Hampshire county councillor Rob Humby.

He said: “The grant will provide opportunities for hundreds of residents in East Hampshire villages to enjoy Miss Popplewell’s Garden – a touring production visiting outdoor venues in small rural communities.

“This offers people in rural areas access to cultural activity to which they would otherwise have limited access.”

The award was among £67,800 of grants to five organisations across East Hampshire, Winchester, Test Valley and Fleet.

These time-limited grants enable projects to provide community benefit.

They are also aimed at helping local communities thrive, or help local organisations become financially self-supporting.

Cllr Humby added: “These community grants support local organisations to help provide life-enriching opportunities for residents, whether through learning, creative expression or by being physically active – all have a positive impact on wellbeing, and making sure community activities are accessible is important.”

The four other organisations awarded grants were Wickham Community Association, Play to the Crowd, to support a unique theatre production in the Great Hall in Winchester, and to support their work delivering the Winchester Hat Fair in 2023, Test Valley Arts Foundation and the annual Fleet and District Carnival.