Laura Sheppard sits down with Zoë Maddison, Chair of the Lion & Unicorn Players, to explore the rich history of this much-loved local theatre group. Zoë reflects on the challenging years the Players faced during Covid and the period that followed, and shares how the company is now turning a positive corner with renewed energy, fresh ideas, and ambitious plans for the future. Based in Sheet and performing across the Petersphere, the Lion & Unicorn Players continue their mission to bring vibrant, accessible theatre to rural villages.

Laura Sheppard sits down with Zo&euml; Maddison, Chair of the Lion &amp; Unicorn Players, to explore the rich history of this much-loved local theatre group. Zo&euml; reflects on the challenging years the Players faced during Covid and the period that followed, and shares how the company is now turning a positive corner with renewed energy, fresh ideas, and ambitious plans for the future. Based in Sheet and performing across the Petersphere, the Lion &amp; Unicorn Players continue their mission to bring vibrant, accessible theatre to rural villages.

Local stories, local voices and local information from Petersfield.

We cover community news, culture, nature, history, events and entertainment in the South Downs market town of Petersfield in Hampshire, UK.

This feed includes all our on-demand audio. Find our more specific feeds by searching "Petersfield" on your  favourite podcast app.

Shine Radio is the radio station made by you. Share your stories or join our volunteer team. Find out more at https://shineradio.uk, email team@shineradio.uk or call Petersfield 01730 555 500.

You make it shine.

Local stories, local voices and local information from Petersfield.
We cover community news, culture, nature, history, events and entertainment in the South Downs market town of Petersfield in Hampshire, UK.
This feed includes all our on-demand audio. Find our more specific feeds by searching "Petersfield" on your  favourite podcast app.
Shine Radio is the radio station made by you. Share your stories or join our volunteer team. Find out more at <a href="https://shineradio.uk">https://shineradio.uk</a>, email <a href="mailto:team@shineradio.uk">team@shineradio.uk</a> or call Petersfield 01730 555 500.
You make it shine.

Voices and stories from Petersfield in Hampshire, UK

Petersfield's Shine Radio

Reviving Rural Theatre: Zoë Maddison on the Future of the Lion & Unicorn Players

Welcome to our 3rd anniversary ‘Sky Watch’ episode!

We’re incredibly fortunate to be within one of the best stargazing areas in this part of the planet! The south of England boasts a number of areas that are ideal for stargazing.

The 'Petersphere' is more or less in the midst of this astronomically blessed region. Our town is inside a Dark Sky Reserve inside a National Park. Not only that, but our part of the world includes two planetariums, one in Winchester, one in Chichester, and an observatory halfway between.

What better place for stargazing - and of course 'Sky Watch' brings you the latest highlights every month.

Written by Petersphere resident, astronomical expert and amateur astronomer Geoff Burt, and voiced by Claire Vennis, every month Shine Radio presents a Sky Watch of our unique dark skies.

Welcome to our 3rd anniversary &lsquo;Sky Watch&rsquo; episode!
We&rsquo;re incredibly fortunate to be within one of the best stargazing areas in this part of the planet! The south of England boasts a number of areas that are ideal for stargazing.
The 'Petersphere' is more or less in the midst of this astronomically blessed region. Our town is inside a Dark Sky Reserve inside a National Park. Not only that, but our part of the world includes&nbsp;two planetariums, one in Winchester, one in Chichester, and an observatory halfway between.
What better place for stargazing - and of course 'Sky Watch' brings you the latest highlights every month.
Written by Petersphere resident, astronomical expert and amateur astronomer Geoff Burt, and voiced by Claire Vennis, every month Shine Radio presents a Sky Watch of our unique dark skies.

The night skies above Petersfield in March 2026

Around 150 people attended the Town Meeting on 2 March to hear from the Council's five committees - Finance, Sport Recreation and Environment, Public Halls, Festival Hall Development and the Planning Committee (as the Town council comments on all applications the Planning Authorities consult on.)

Projects reported on were the £400k Council chamber upgrade, £255k on the Heath toilets, £283k for new lights rigging on the Festival Hall stage, £140k on the Penns playground and £55k on The Avenue tennis courts.

Lots of information was provided and Rochelle Halliday the Town Clerk, said it will all appear in the Council's Annual Report which will be available shortly.

We also hear from Robin Davison, the newly appointed Deputy Town Clerk.

The Mayor's charities this year - Winton House and the Scouts - made presentations about their work.

The South Downs National Park also spoke about the excellent working relationship with the Town Council. The park has 18.8m visitors overall and they gave details of the £800k town focused spending (from the section 106 levy on new buildings) which had been spent on, for example, the play area, signage, CCTV and the pond. Part of another fund - the Community Infrastructure Levy  - has also allocated £250,000 allocated to the Council.

Audience members had a few 'back and forths' with councillors about some things - the full costs of the Festival Hall work, trees being removed and not replaced, planning discussions but not involving local people.

The Mayor made awards for 'service to Petersfield' to Jenny Tickner from Winton House, Jenny Cummings from Home Start Butser, Jen King from the Free Shop, Jordan Beech from the Friends of the Heath, John Wade-Palmer from the Physic garden and Steve Field for Agencies Working Together.

Julie Butler and Mike Waddington report. 

As part of the effort to encourage attendance the Town Criers were used to publicise the event and Martin Johnson played a song about it on Rams Walk,

 

 

Around 150 people attended the Town Meeting on 2 March to hear from the Council's five committees - Finance, Sport Recreation and Environment, Public Halls, Festival Hall Development and the Planning Committee (as the Town council comments on all applications the Planning Authorities consult on.)
Projects reported on were the &pound;400k Council chamber upgrade, &pound;255k on the Heath toilets, &pound;283k for new lights rigging on the Festival Hall stage, &pound;140k on the Penns playground and &pound;55k on The Avenue tennis courts.
Lots of information was provided and Rochelle Halliday the Town Clerk, said it will all appear in the Council's Annual Report which will be available shortly.
We also hear from Robin Davison, the newly appointed Deputy Town Clerk.
The Mayor's charities this year - Winton House and the Scouts - made presentations about their work.
The South Downs National Park also spoke about the excellent working relationship with the Town Council. The park has 18.8m visitors overall and they gave details of the &pound;800k town focused spending (from the section 106 levy on new buildings) which had been spent on, for example, the play area, signage, CCTV and the pond. Part of another fund - the Community Infrastructure Levy&nbsp; - has also allocated &pound;250,000 allocated to the Council.
Audience members had a few 'back and forths' with councillors about some things - the full costs of the Festival Hall work, trees being removed and not replaced, planning discussions but not involving local people.
The Mayor made awards for 'service to Petersfield' to Jenny Tickner from Winton House, Jenny Cummings from Home Start Butser, Jen King from the Free Shop, Jordan Beech from the Friends of the Heath, John Wade-Palmer from the Physic garden and Steve Field for Agencies Working Together.
Julie Butler and Mike Waddington report.&nbsp;
As part of the effort to encourage attendance the Town Criers were used to publicise the event and Martin Johnson played a song about it on Rams Walk,
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Councillors on the spot at well attended Town Meeting

Today's local news and information update from Petersfield's Shine Radio.
It’s a fond farewell to PC Loz and hello to PC Imie
Liss man receives jail warning
Good news for tennis players in Petersfield
And after the news details of what’s on around the Petersphere

To share your news stories email team@shineradio.uk or call, text or WhatsApp 01730 555 500.

You make it shine.

Published at 4:58am on 3 March, 2026

Today's local news and information update from Petersfield's Shine Radio.
<ul>
<li>It&rsquo;s a fond farewell to PC Loz and hello to PC Imie</li>
<li>Liss man receives jail warning</li>
<li>Good news for tennis players in Petersfield</li>
<li>And after the news details of what&rsquo;s on around the Petersphere</li>
</ul>
To share your news stories email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:team@shineradio.uk">team@shineradio.uk</a> or call, text or WhatsApp 01730 555 500.
You make it shine.
Published at 4:58am on 3 March, 2026

Reviving Rural Theatre: Zoë Maddison on the Future of the Lion & Unicorn Players

In 1 playlist(s)

Petersfield's Shine Radio

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips