Heritage Open Week
Have fun and be inspired by Heritage Open Week this half
term
12 October 2011
Heritage sites – including some run by Bath
& North East Somerset Council – will be opening their doors and
inviting residents and visitors to enjoy their unique attractions
in a week-long celebration this October half term.
A wide range of events and activities will
take place in museums, galleries and heritage sites across Bath and
North East Somerset. Over 20 sites will be opening their doors to
the public from Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 October to celebrate
Heritage Open Week 2011.
As part of the family fun, the Victoria Art
Gallery hosts “Picture Post – The Big Draw” on Saturday 22 October,
from 11am to 4pm. Visitors are invited to work alongside artist
Edwina Bridgeman and get down their big ideas, big feelings and big
message by drawing on the back of an envelope. The envelopes will
be used to create an installation in the gallery.
On Tuesday 25 October at 7pm, in Bath’s
Guildhall, Stephen Deuchar, Director of The Art Fund, will talk
about the work of The Art Fund and its current campaign “Never
Without Art” which helps museums and galleries to buy art for
everyone to enjoy. Through this scheme the Victoria Art Gallery has
been able to purchase many of the works currently on display in the
Saved for Ever exhibition.
Late night opening returns to the Roman Baths
for one night only with a poetry themed evening on Thursday 28
October, from 6pm to 9pm (last entry 8pm). Everyone is welcome to
enjoy the torch-lit Great Bath and take part in the poetic
festivities.
A rare treat is lined up for heritage
enthusiasts with a behind-the-scenes look at the Roman Baths local
history store. Held in the St John’s museum store on Saturday 29
October, from 11am to 3pm, “What’s in Store?” offers the chance to
marvel at the old spa equipment, bath chairs and furniture made by
local craftsmen. There is also a special opportunity to see the
German-built coal truck from the 1890s which was discovered in the
railway vaults in the last decade and has been painstakingly
conserved.
Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib-Dem, Combe Down),
Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “Bath & North
East Somerset Council is proud to organise Heritage Open Week and
celebrate the area’s distinctive array of heritage sites with this
special programme of activities.
“These events can be a thoroughly rewarding
experience as you can find out a lot about Bath and North East
Somerset’s rich heritage – which might have otherwise been taken
for granted. On top of that, there are lots of fun things to do and
plenty of great ways to keep the kids entertained over the half
term holidays.”
In honour of 2011 officially being the “Year
of the Museum”, a Heritage Open Week Trail will run through a
number of the heritage sites taking part. Children and their
families can follow the clues to find all the “Year of the Museum”
cards – claim a stamp at each site to become a Heritage Open Week
collector and find a special golden card to receive a free
sticker.
Matt Williams, Chair of Bath & North East
Somerset Museums Group, said: “Heritage Open Week is a great
opportunity for museums in the region to reach audiences that
otherwise may not visit. There are so many unique and fascinating
museums in and around Bath for local residents to discover, and
during Heritage Open Week there are loads of fun activities to
enthuse both young and old. Each year there’s something new on
offer, and with so many different museums to experience, there will
be something new for everyone.”
For more details of Heritage Open Week 2011,
including listings and the online leaflet, visit Bath & North
East Somerset Council’s website (www.bathnes.gov.uk/openweek)
or pick up a leaflet in your local library or museum.
ENDS