Museums are Magic!
Shrewsbury’s Museum & Art Gallery will be hosting a Halloween weekend of mystery and magic on Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 October.
Visitors to the historic town centre venue will have the chance to have their very own personalised spell written for them, make a magic wand using simple woodworking tools and create their very own magic potion. The first fantastic adventure in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone (PG) will be shown on both evenings in the magical setting of the museum balcony.
In addition to the wealth of hands-on activities available, on Saturday 28 October bestselling author and illustrator Matt Sewell will be showing visitors how to create their own beautiful bird book in his Spot and Jot Owl’s Workshop.
Visitors will also be treated to a chance to see some live Owl’s courtesy of Battlefield Falconry Centre!
On Sunday 29 October magician Rob Chapman will mystify and delight with his super magic show suitable for all ages.
stop. café will be putting on a special spooky menu for children and Hot chocolate and Halloween themed treats will be available to buy throughout the film screenings.
Visitors are invited to come along in fancy dress.
For further details and to book your tickets, go to:
https://friendsofsmag.wordpress.com/museums-are-magic/
The weekend of activities is part of the national ‘Museums at Night’ programme.
Programme
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th October
11- 4 The Spellwright – Our resident spell scribe will craft a personalised spell on a scroll for you to take away.
11-4 The Wand Whittler – Use simple tools to create and decorate your own magic wand with the ‘Wand Whittler’
11-4 Potion’s Class – Create your very own magic potion to take away
11 – 11.30 Spooky story time – a selection of toe-tingling stories (ages 3 – 10)
4pm – Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone (PG), Warner Bros Films, 2hrs 39m. Snuggle up with a STOP Café hot-chocolate and watch the first film in the Harry Potter series in the magical setting of the museum balcony. Parental guidance recommended, places limited, book in advance, £1 per person.
PLUS
Saturday 28th only
1-2 Care of Magical Creatures – A chance to meet a selection of Battlefield Falconry Centre’s beautiful Owls
2-3 Spot & Jot Owls workshop – Matt Sewell. Best-selling author and artist Matt will show you how to create and draw your own beautiful bird book. Open to all ages, all children must be accompanied, no artistic skills required, everybody must draw! – booking essential, suitable for ages 6+, workshop £8 per person includes museum admission.
Sunday 29th only
1.30 – 2.30 Magic Show – magician Rob Chapman mystifies and delights with his super magic show suitable for all ages.
T: 01743 258881/258888
E: shrewsburymusuem@shropshire.gov.uk
Or you can drop in to the Museum Visitor Information Centre.
Poetry Reading by Helen Mort at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery
Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery are delighted to invite you to join them on Friday 27 October 2017 for a unique poetry reading by the amazing Helen Mort.
Helen Mort
The recent winner of the Mslexia Women’s Poetry Prize 2017 for her poem ‘Vanishing Point’, Helen has received rave reviews of her work from her peers, including current Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy.
“Helen Mort is among the brightest stars in the sparkling new constellation of young British poets” – Carol Ann Duffy
“Helen Mort’s ‘Vanishing Point’ was an immediate definite for me. As soon as I read it, I knew I’d found a winning poem; subsequent re-readings confirmed it quite quickly as the best in the competition. Something truly magical happens in this poem: there’s a vortex in the middle of it that works like a spell” – Sinead Morrissey, Mslexia Women’s Poetry Prize Judge, 2017
Doors open at 6pm the reading will begin at 7.30pm. Early arrival will give you the chance to explore the amazing museum galleries, experience Samurai: Warriors of Japan and have a drink and relax prior to the performance.
Following the performance there will also be an opportunity to purchase a copy of Helen Mort’s newest publication … and have your copy signed!
In 2013, Helen Mort was shortlisted for the T.S Eliot Prize which is awarded to the best new verse published in the UK and Ireland.
Tickets for the event cost £7.50
If you are a season ticket holder at the Museum, a Friend of Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery or an Art Fund Member, you can purchase a ticket at the reduced rate of £4.50.
Although tickets can be purchased on arrival, spaces are limited so it is recommended that you book your place in advance to avoid possible disappointment. To book your ticket, please visit us at the Visitor Information Centre at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery or call 01743 258885.
The reading by Helen Mort is the second in a series of poetry readings at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, held on the last Friday of each month. The first of which heard readings from Gillian Clarke and Liz Lefroy, which was brilliantly received.
Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery are also delighted to announce that Jo Bell will be joining them on 24 November 2017.
If you would like more information about this event, please call 01743 28885 or pop into the Visitor Information Centre.
Depressed Cake Shop Pops Up in Shrewsbury
Local cafes and bakers have been challenged to create delicious grey cakes for an upcoming event, a Depressed Cake Shop, aiming to get people talking about mental health.
Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, in partnership with Shropshire Mind, will be hosting a Depressed Cake Shop on Tuesday 10 October from 11am-2pm at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, The Square, Shrewsbury, SY1 1LH.
The pop-up will take place on World Mental Health Day and will be raising funds for Shropshire Mind (Reg. Charity No. 1003117)
Many of Shrewsbury’s cafes and bakeries have volunteered to bake for the event – with one proviso – all of the baked goods on sale will have an element of grey to signify the grey cloud that can descend over someone who is struggling with mental health issues.
Stop. Coffee Shop, Ginger & Co and O’Joy are among the many bakers whose delicious and poignant treats will be on sale.
Everyone is welcome at the event.
Fay Bailey of Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, said:
“Shrewsbury has a wealth of baking talent and we are very excited to see how that creativity will be put to use to make ‘depressed’ yet delicious grey cakes, while at the same time raising funds for Shropshire Mind and raising awareness of an increasingly important issue.”
Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for Culture and Leisure, said:
“Museums are diverse places so it’s great that Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery are working with local charities such as Shropshire Mind and local businesses to become even more inclusive to all, while at the same time raising awareness of an important and relevant subject through the Depressed Cake Shop.”
Heather Ireland, Manager at Shropshire Mind said:
“Approximately one in four people in the UK experience a mental health problem each year.
That is why we want to use World Mental Health Day to raise awareness of these issues here on our doorstep in Shropshire.”
The Depressed Cake Shop movement was started in London in 2013 as a unique way to raise awareness of mental health issues as well as raise money for mental health charities.
It has become an international phenomenon, with Depressed Cake Shops popping up across the world in the UK, USA, Malaysia, Australia, India – and now Shrewsbury.
The movement has raised more than £78,000 for mental health charities around the world.
The pop-up is part of a series of events aimed at welcoming new visitors to Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery.
Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery partner with Shrewsbury High School for week long exhibition
Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery are delighted to be partnering with Shrewsbury High School for an exhibition of artwork from some of the High School’s talented artists.
Running from Wednesday 27 September – Wednesday 4 October 2017, the exhibition will feature work from students past and present, as well as work produced by pupils across Shropshire in special art masterclasses.
A Level student Katie Crabtree
The exhibition is free to the public and not only features GCSE, A-level and Alumnae artwork, but will also exhibit work produced at workshops and masterclasses throughout the week by pupils from schools across the county. Head of Art at Shrewsbury High School, Mark Warner, will be hosting a Scholars’ masterclass for High School Art Scholars on Friday 29 September and their work will then be entered into the main exhibition.
Renowned equine artist Mary Herbert from the Society of Equestrian Artists will be running a bespoke art workshop on Saturday 30 September, free of charge, for GCSE art students from across Shropshire.
Renowned Equine Artist Mary Herbert will be holding a free public talk on Saturday 30 September at 2pm.
Work produced at this workshop will then be on display in the Exhibition Hall from 30 September until 4 October.
This is a wonderful opportunity for GCSE pupils to add to their GCSE art work and learn some valuable skills from an established artist. If you are a GCSE art student and would like to attend this workshop, or if you are an art teacher and have GCSE pupils who you think would benefit from this workshop, please contact Emily Brick at the details below.
Mary, who specialises in pastel paintings of animals, will follow this masterclass on Saturday 30 September with a talk and showcase of her equestrian art which will run from 2 – 2.45pm.
This talk is free to the public and is a wonderful opportunity to hear about Mary’s career as a professional artist, working on portrait commissions and exhibiting around the UK and to see some of her beautiful paintings. Stay and enjoy Mary’s exhibition until 6pm.
For more details about the GCSE Masterclass by Mary Herbert on Saturday 30 September (10am – 1pm) please email e.brick@shr.gdst.net.
To book tickets (free of charge) for Mary Herbert’s talk on Saturday 30 September (2pm – 2.45pm) please email e.brick@shr.gdst.net.
Poetry Reading by Gillian Clarke at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery
Join us at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery on Friday 29 September 2017 for the book launch of Gillian Clarke’s amazing new collection, ‘Zoology’.
Gillian Clarke’s amazing new collection, Zoology
Doors open at 6pm with the poetry reading beginning at 7.30pm.
Zoology will be available for you to purchase following the reading with an opportunity to even have your copy signed.
Refreshments will be available from 6pm and you will also have the chance to look around four of the amazing museum galleries prior to the poetry reading.
If this is enough to whet the appetite, the evening also features readings from local talent, Liz Lefroy.
Tickets for this event cost just £7.50.
If you are a season ticket holder at the Museum, a Friend of Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery or an Art Fund Member, you can purchase a ticket at the reduced rate of £4.50.
Although tickets can be purchased on arrival, spaces are limited so it is recommended that you book your place in advance to avoid possible disappointment.
Gillian Clarke is the longest serving National Poet of Wales holding the role from 2008-2016 and is widely recognised for increasing the profile of the prestigious role.
“There is no gaudiness in her poetry; instead the reader is aware of a generosity of spirit which allows the poems’ subjects their own unbullied reality”. – The Listener
National Poet of Wales, Ifor ap Glyn, said:
“Gillian has taken the role of National Poet to new heights during her tenure, and I’d like to thank her for her tireless efforts in promoting Welsh poetry and literature at home and on the international stage.”(http://www.literaturewales.org/our-projects/national-poet-wales/)
This reading is the first of a new series that will take place on the last Friday of each month at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery with a range of exciting local and national talents already lined up.
For more information about this reading or to book, please visit us at the Visitor Information Centre at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery or call 01743 258885.
Shrewsbury Castle getting ready for the rare opening of Laura’s Tower
Sunday 10 September 2017 will see a rare occurrence at Shrewsbury Castle… the opening of Laura’s Tower at Shrewsbury Castle.
Laura’s Tower
Open one day a year for the Heritage Open Days festival, making your way to the top of Laura’s Tower will give you truly unique views across Shrewsbury making it a special opportunity not to be missed.
Visitors will also be able to explore the breath-taking Castle Grounds and visit Shrewsbury Castle itself which houses the Shropshire Regimental Museum, for FREE.
Laura’s Tower was built by the famous Thomas Telford in c.1790 for the daughter of Sir William Pulteney for her 21st birthday as a summer house, and has been a grade II listed building since 1972.
Shrewsbury Castle
Shrewsbury Castle and Laura’s Tower are made of Grinshill red sandstone and are remarkably well preserved.
Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for Culture and Leisure, said:
“Heritage Open Days is the largest heritage festival in the UK so it’s great to see Shrewsbury Castle getting involved.
“Laura’s Tower is grade II listed and is only opened to the public once a year and allows you to see Shrewsbury from a whole new perspective so it really is an amazing opportunity not to be missed… you most certainly do not have to be a history lover to appreciate this.
“I’d encourage everyone to make the most of this great opportunity and get to all of our sites… and it’s free!”
Loyd Grossman, Patron of Heritage Open Days, said:
“At a time when many of our heritage sites, museums and buildings of cultural interest are under increasing economic pressure it’s heart-warming to see the number of Heritage Open Days events continue to grow. Our army of volunteers play an important role in championing our wonderfully diverse local heritage, opening up doors and keeping access free for these very special four days every year. We are keen to encourage people to stand up for the places that are important to them by bringing to life their stories for everyone to enjoy.”
Heritage Open Days is the largest heritage festival in the country; in 2015, over 4,800 events welcomed around three million visitors across England.
Heritage Open Days operates as part of the National Trust with funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
See what else is happening across Shropshire Museums & Archives.
FREE entry across Shropshire Museums & Archives for Heritage Open Days
In celebration of the Heritage Open Days, Shropshire Museums and Archives are waiving entry fees and putting on special events to create a unique visitor experience.
Running from Thursday 7 September until Sunday 10 September 2017, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, Shrewsbury Castle, Shropshire Archives and Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, are each offering free entry and special events to visitor.
Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for Culture and Leisure, said:
“Heritage Open Days is the largest heritage festival in the UK so it’s great to see Shropshire Museums and Archives getting involved.
“As well as the amazing things to see and do at each site, visitors will get to go behind the scenes and see and do things that are only available a very limited number of times a year.
“I’d encourage everyone to make the most of this great opportunity and get to our sites… and it’s free!”
Loyd Grossman, Patron of Heritage Open Days, said:
“At a time when many of our heritage sites, museums and buildings of cultural interest are under increasing economic pressure it’s heart-warming to see the number of Heritage Open Days events continue to grow. Our army of volunteers play an important role in championing our wonderfully diverse local heritage, opening up doors and keeping access free for these very special four days every year. We are keen to encourage people to stand up for the places that are important to them by bringing to life their stories for everyone to enjoy.”
Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery
Mammoth bones found in Condover on display at Shrewsbury Museum Art Gallery
On Sunday 10 September, visitors to Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery will be able to enter for FREE and see the amazing collections telling over 750 years of history in Shrewsbury and Shropshire.
Usually £4.50 for adults, you will get to see some of the best preserved mammoth bones in the UK, one of the finest geology collections as well an entry to Antarctica: Life in a hostile land and Synthetic Landscapes.
Guided town tours
As well free access to the Museum’s galleries on Sunday 10 September, you can explore the Medieval town of Shrewsbury on a free guided town tour, which usually cost £7.50. Advanced booking is advised to ensure your place.
Tour dates and times
Thursday 7 September: 2pm
Friday 8 September: 2pm
To book your place on one of these free guided town tours, call 01743 258888.
Shropshire Archives
Behind the scenes at Shropshire Archives
Your chance to see behind the scenes at Shropshire Archives including the stores where over 5 miles (9 kilometres!) of records are housed in environmentally controlled conditions as well as the conservation and reprographics sections. A selection of our fantastic collections will also be on show including the recently conserved minute books of Much Wenlock Borough dating from 1495-1810.
Tour dates and times
Thursday 7 September: 2pm
Friday 8 September: 2pm
Pre-booking is essential. To book your place call 0345 678 9096 or email archives@shropshire.gov.uk.
Laura’s Tower at Shrewsbury Castle (©Chris Glover)
Shrewsbury Castle
Sunday 10 September will see a rare occurrence at Shrewsbury Castle… the opening of Laura’s Tower.
Open one day a year for the Heritage Open Days festival, making your way to the top of Laura’s Tower will give you truly unique views across Shrewsbury making it a special opportunity not to be missed.
Visitors will also be able to enter the Castle Grounds and Shrewsbury Castle housing Shropshire Regimental Museum for FREE.
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Toddler meets the lambs at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
With its’ of range of young and adult farm animals, working farm demonstrations and much more, Acton Scott Historic Working Farm is a perfect family day out. And… on Saturday 9 September, it’s FREE.
As well as free admission, the Farm is also holding extra demonstrations and behind the scenes guided tours so you can learn more about the workings of a Victorian Farm, and maybe, just maybe, get a little closer to the baby animals!
For more information, call 01694 781307 or email acton.scott.museum@shropshire.gov.uk.
Mammoth bones in the stores at Ludlow Museum & Resource Centre
Ludlow Museum & Resource Centre
Enjoy a free 20 minute talk about the ‘Treasure’ acquired by Shropshire Museums through the Treasure Act. This talk focuses on artefacts held in the stores at Ludlow Museum Resource Centre and you’ll have the chance to hold some of the amazing treasures.
Saturday 9 September, 11 am – 12 noon
Following the talk you’ll have the chance to visit the Geology Store and view Shropshire’s other giant treasure, the MAMMOTH!
About Heritage Open Days
Heritage Open Days is the largest heritage festival in the country; in 2015, over 4,800 events welcomed around three million visitors across England.
Heritage Open Days operates as part of the National Trust with funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said:
“This is the second year that players have supported Heritage Open Days, which continues to grow, not only in the number of events, but the diversity and quality of activities right across England. We look forward to seeing thousands of people sharing the hidden histories on their doorstep and making a difference to their communities this September.”
Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery to celebrate the battle of Waterloo with new exhibition
Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery are delighted to welcome visitors to their new exhibition, War and Peace, which is now open.
War and Peace tells the story of the Hill family of Hawkstone and Attingham through jugs, mugs and medals that commemorate General Election, the Peninsular War and Lord Hill’s Column between 1796 and 1906.
Some of the items on display in the War and Peace exhibition at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery
The most significant features of this exhibition is a collection of election jugs that celebrate the Parliamentary election success of members in the early 19th century, including Sir Rowland Hill, William Hill and Benjamin Disraeli.
The beautiful collection consists of items purchased by Shropshire Museum’s Service with and Art Fund grant, loaned medals and Coalport election jugs donated by Rev. Richard Hayes.
The collections can be seen in the community gallery at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery.
Rev. Richard Hayes, Chairman of The Friends of Lord Hill’s Column, said:
“Saving items of Shropshire’s history for Shropshire people to enjoy in their county Museum has been a source of great joy.”
War and Peace is more than an exhibition, however. It is one of a number of events in Shrewsbury, organised in partnership with the Friends of Lord Hill’s Column and Shrewsbury Civic Society that celebrate Lord Hill’s significant involvement and influence in the famous Battle of Waterloo and the famous Lord Hill’s Column.
The Waterloo Weekend celebrations are to take place from Friday 16 June until Sunday 18 June 2017.
Waterloo Weekend – 16 – 18 June 2017
Organised by the Friends of Lord Hill’s Column, the Waterloo Weekend celebrations run from Friday 16 June until Sunday 18 June 2017 to mark the anniversary of the famous battle.
Coade Stone talk – Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery on Friday 16 June 2017 @ 6pm
Kicking the weekend off is a fascinating talk by Caroline Stanford on Mrs Coade and the making of Lord Hill’s statue.
Caroline is a historian and Head of Engagement with the Landmark Trust as well a published author and an expert on Coade Stone, the material of which Lord Hill’s statue is made.
Tickets are £10 and are available from the Visitor Information Centre at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery in the Music Hall.
Walk up Lord Hill’s Column and the Revival of the Lord Hill March
Lord Hill’s Column, Shrewsbury
Lord Hill’s Column will be open to the public from 12pm – 4pm on Saturday 17 June and Sunday 18 June, when all fatherswill go FREE to mark Father’s Day.
For just £5 you can climb the column and take in the breath-taking views of the medieval town of Shrewsbury, and become a life-long member of the Friends of Lord Hill.
As well as climbing Lord Hill’s Column, you can enjoy the revival of the Lord Hill March by Thomas Tomlin circa 1813, which is to be played for the first time in 200 years by the Shrewsbury Brass Band. Members of the 23rd Regiment of Foot Royal Welch Fusiliers re-enactment society will be present on Saturday.
National Civic Day – Saturday 17 June 2017 @ 3pm
Join Rev. Richard Hayes at 3pm on Saturday, 17June 2017 for the mile long walk from the Column to the Bear Steps and appreciate some of the surviving architecture that lines this important first view of Shrewsbury that travellers would have seen in the 1820’s.
The walk will culminate in an intriguing illustrated talk about our local hero, Lord Hill.
Further Information
Coade Stone:
Lord Hill’s statue is one of the largest monuments to come out of Mrs Coade’s manufactory in Lambeth, London. In the latter part of the eighteenth and the early part of the nineteenth centuries. Coade stone was used to decorate the exterior of private houses and public buildings and was also widely used to embellish parks and gardens. There are examples of urns, vases, fountains, sundials, gateways and other garden buildings throughout the country. Local examples include a Coade stone lion at Lilleshall Hall and a sundial at Weston Park.
Lord Hill’s Column Opening Dates:
The Column is open on three more dates over the course of 2017:
Sunday 9 July 12pm – 4pm
Saturday 19 August 11am – 4pm
Sunday 10 September 12pm – 4pm
STOP THE CLOCK for Shrewsbury Museum at Night
It’s time you visited Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery for Museums at Night on 17 May between 4pm – 9pm.
The Clock Room – Enter ‘The Clock Room’ and become part of the mechanism
Light displays by Andy McKeown
An immersive multi projector light and sound installation by internationally renowned multi –media artist, Andy McKeown, will fill the special exhibitions gallery at Shrewsbury Museum with a mesmerising profusion of real and impossible animated clocks.
Experience kaleidoscopia LIVE
Transform your post-it note doodles into beautiful moving kaleidoscopic light with the kaleidoscopia LIVE arcade machine!
Heyday Arts
Unleash your inner creative and make time for some museum inspired art with Heyday Arts
Bar and live music
Turn back the clock and feel our pre-history and Tudor galleries come to life with Tudor musicians and Stone Age specialists.
Refreshments for little people and grown-ups by STOP Café