Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:45:08 +0000Stoke Museumshttp://www.stokemuseums.org.ukThu, 18 Mar 2010 02:45:08 +0000Orangeleaf Systems Ltd SiteSync 6en-gbhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/fgh/events/001653.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/fgh/events/001653.htmlWhat did the Tudors consider fashionable? Dress up as a Tudor and dance to Tudor music. Family event. 1 - 4pm. Normal admission charges apply. http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/eim/events/001652.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/eim/events/001652.htmlA talk by Andrew Dobraszczyc. Find out who built Shelton Ironworks and what they did to the landscape and environment of Etruria. Including a tour around the 1857 potters' mill. 1.30 - 4.30pm. £7.50.http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001651.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001651.htmlCelebrate the discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard by making your own Saxon helmet  . Drop-in, 10.30am - 4pm. £1. http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/fgh/events/001649.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/fgh/events/001649.htmlTransform an old milk bottle into an exciting pirate ship. Drop-in. 1- 4pm. 50p plus admission.http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/eim/events/001650.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/eim/events/001650.htmlMake an insect fridge magnet. 12 - 3pm. 50p plus admission.http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001647.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001647.htmlMake a frame for your favourite photo. Drop-in, 10.30am - 4pm. £1.http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/fgh/events/001646.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/fgh/events/001646.htmlMake an Easter Bunny mask, complete with floppy ears and whiskers. Drop-in, 1 - 4pm. 50p plus admission. http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/gpm/events/001648.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/gpm/events/001648.html Make a nestful of spring birds. 11am - 4pm. 50p plus admission. http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/fgh/events/001244.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/fgh/events/001244.html  http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/gpm/events/001242.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/gpm/events/001242.htmlPaint and take home a piece of Easter themed pottery you’ve decorated. 10 - 4pm. From £1 plus admission.                                                   http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/fgh/events/001644.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/fgh/events/001644.htmlMeet a pedlar who will tell you about life in 16th century rural England. 1 - 4pm. Normal admission charges apply.http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/eim/events/001645.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/eim/events/001645.htmlThe Poor Cnights of St. Chad will be re-enacting life in the 7th Century when they set up camp at Etruria. The group will provide visitors with a fascinating insight into Anglo-Saxon food, arms and clothing. 12 - 4pm. Free.http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001692.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001692.htmlOn Friday 26 March there will be special preview screenings of 'Saxon Gold - Finding the Hoard' a film produced for the National Geographic Channelhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001642.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001642.htmlMeet the popular characters from the world of science fiction. Discover the secrets behind the science of animatronics. 10.30am - 4pm. Free Admission. Watch our interactive show and try on the costumes. Theatre show £2.50, booking essential for show. http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001643.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001643.html A talk by Adrian Mathias. 2pm. Free. http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/exhibitions/001612.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/exhibitions/001612.html Young people's multi-media artwork, inspired by the city’s past. http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001632.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001632.htmlStudents from Staffordshire University 3-D art course display their work in the Changing Fashions gallery.http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/whats_on/001685.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/whats_on/001685.htmlThe Potteries Museum & Art Gallery has recently been short listed for the Guardian Family Friendly Museum Award 2009. The public nominated the museum, which encourages and welcomes families through its doors, as one of the best in the country.http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/eim/events/001680.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/eim/events/001680.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001666.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/events/001666.htmlHi there, we’re the Clean Air Superheroes and we're on a mission to clean up the air in Stoke-on-Trent. You can find us at our new exhibition in the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/exhibitions/001611.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/exhibitions/001611.htmlLocated opposite The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Bethesda Chapel is one of the most significant historical buildings in the city. This timely exhibition explores the fascinating history of this former Methodist chapel and plans for the future.http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/press/001582.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/press/001582.html Thursday November 26, 2009 PRESS RELEASE £3.3m Staffordshire Hoard valuation accepted by acquiring councils A £3.3m price tag placed on the Staffordshire Hoard at an independent valuation has been accepted by the two councils who will raise the funds to acquire it. Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Birmingham City Council have welcomed the Treasure Valuation Committee’s £3,285,000 valuation of the 1,800 mainly gold and some silver Anglo-Saxon artefacts. The amount makes the Staffordshire Hoard the most valuable treasure find ever. The two authorities will jointly acquire the treasure, and have now been given four months to raise the funds. They will also work with partner authorities Lichfield District Council, Staffordshire County Council and Tamworth Borough Council to help ensure the seventh century items remain in the region in which they were found, for local people to see. Councillor Hazel Lyth, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for economic development and culture, said: "We welcome the valuation of the committee. To value items, the like of which have simply never been seen before, is an unenviable task and I’d like to thank the committee for their work. "But now the real work for us must begin. We are working jointly with Birmingham City Council to acquire the treasure, and only have a limited amount of time to raise the funds. "We’re also calling on the support of the public and businesses to help raise the funds and we want as many people as possible to join us in bringing the treasure home. We’re confident that working together, we can raise the required money. "The treasure will have a huge economic impact on Stoke-on-Trent in terms of bringing in visitors and encouraging visitor spend. We are thrilled to be able to give people the chance to see the hoard, including items that have never before been displayed, when it is exhibited at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery from February 13." The fundraising campaign has already gained the support of Government Office West Midlands and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. The two city councils have already been involved in talks with funding bodies the Heritage Lottery Fund, Art Fund and National Heritage Memorial Fund. Councillor Martin Mullaney, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: "It is great to have a real target to aim for.  We are already talking to major potential funders to help us acquire the hoard and bring it home to its rightful place in the ancient kingdom of Merica.   "Over 42,000 people saw the treasure when it was displayed at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in September, and thanks to the generosity of the public we have already raised almost £40,000 towards the fundraising total. "This will take a huge, co-ordinated fundraising effort and we have already been working hard with partners and had early discussions with fundraising bodies. We want as many people as possible to support the campaign and help ensure we keep the treasure in the region." A selection of around 80 of the most significant artefacts, including items that have yet to be seen in public, will go on display at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent from February 13 to March 7. Collection boxes for public donations are available in the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. To find out more on how to give money to support the fundraising, please visit www.bmag.org.uk/support-us. ‘The Staffordshire Hoard’ book has also been published by the British Museum Press, priced at £4.99, with £1 going to the acquisition appeal fund. -Ends- For media enquiries, please call Andrew Brunt at Stoke-on-Trent City Council press office on 01782 232671. http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/exhibitions/001448.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/exhibitions/001448.htmlAn exhibition exploring the rituals of courtship,from the medieval to the contemporary. There will be series of events and activities running throughout this exhibition. Check our website for details. http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/press/001464.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/press/001464.htmlRomantic Proposal The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery is keen to hear from anyone who has experienced love and romance. A new exhibition will show the romantic side of Stoke-on-Trent by including stories from local people. How did you meet your partner? What makes your relationship work? What is the most romantic thing that your partner has done for you? Romantic Proposal runs from12th December 2009 to 18th April 2010. The exhibition explores courtship and courting rituals through history and other cultures. Objects from all the museums collections will be displayed including romantic gemstones, a Victorian valentine card and modern artwork, which was commissioned especially for the exhibition. During Romantic Proposal there will be a series of activities and workshops linked to the theme of love and romance. Exhibition Organiser Jean Milton said, “we hope to discover some modern day Romeo and Juliet’s in Stoke-on-Trent who will share their stories. This is the people’s chance to show that romance isn’t dead.” Get involved by telling your story so that it can be included in the exhibition. Contact Jean Milton Collections Officer (Arts) via email jean.milton@stoke.gov.uk or telephone 01782 232323. You can also contribute your story on the exhibition blog at www.romanticproposal.org.uk Notes to Editor For more information please ring Jean Milton, Collections Officer (Arts), on 01782 232519 or Vicky Martin, Outreach and Community Development Officer, on 01782 232560 Photo opportunities available. http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/press/001581.htmlhttp://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/press/001581.html Friday November 27, 2009   PRESS RELEASE   Regional Minister praises speedy Staffordshire Hoard valuation agreement West Midlands Regional Minister Ian Austin has praised the valuation process over the £3,285,000 Staffordshire Hoard. Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Birmingham City Council are to raise funds to jointly acquire the Anglo-Saxon gold and silver, which was yesterday announced as the most valuable treasure find ever made. The two authorities approved the valuation – made by the Treasure Valuation Committee at the British Museum – and finder Terry Herbert and landowner Fred Johnson also agreed the value and will split the sum equally. Ian Austin said: "This is excellent news; I am delighted that everyone has come to such a speedy agreement. Now the real work starts to raise the funds to ensure that this unique treasure is displayed in its natural home of the West Midlands. "The region as a whole must get behind this; and given the outpouring of feelings and emotions so far shown I know that we will be able to achieve this together. "The Staffordshire Hoard is unique and the positive impact a West Midlands home for the hoard will have on tourism, education and heritage is way beyond the treasure’s price tag." The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent is now preparing to display the seventh century artefacts from 13 February to 7 March. The museum will exclusively exhibit items that have never been seen before, along with a selection of the most significant artefacts including folded gold crosses, sword pommels, intricately designed helmet parts and a gold strip bearing a biblical inscription. Councillor Hazel Lyth, cabinet member for economic development and culture, said: "Experts believe that the outstanding quality of the treasure means it was owned by royalty – we’ll be pulling out all the stops to make sure this breathtaking collection has a home fit for a king. "We are creating a dedicated gallery space and will have six display cases to accommodate the artefacts. "It will be the first time this unique find has been displayed in Staffordshire, the county in which it was found, and we are making plans so that as many people as possible can come to see it. "Next year, 2010, is the hundredth anniversary of the federation of Stoke-on-Trent, and this will really help to kick-start our celebrations. It will bring huge economic benefits to our city and we are thrilled to be able to display it." Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Birmingham City Council have four months to raise the funds to acquire the 1,800 Staffordshire Hoard artefacts. At a temporary exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in September, a selection of around 80 items of the treasure attracted over 40,000 visitors in just 20 days. -Ends- Note to editors The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery is the approved repository for archaeological material recovered from within the Staffordshire area. The Museum is recognised by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council as holding archaeological collections of both national and international importance.     For media enquiries, please call Andrew Brunt at Stoke-on-Trent City Council press office on 01782 232671.