This summer you can experience a knitted garden at the Framework Knitters Museum, Ruddington. Among the natural flora and fauna in the museums picturesque garden, woollen flowers are blooming and woollen bugs are creeping.

The knitted additions to the museum’s garden will be on display until Sunday 27^th September, including during the annual Garden Party on Monday 31^st August. Entry to the garden is included in the normal admission price, though admission is free during the Garden Party which runs from 11 am to 4 pm.

The knitted flowers and garden critters were originally created by the museum staff and visitors for the Woollen Woods exhibition held in Rushcliffe Country Park in May. Any additional contributions to the collection are welcome.

Paul Baker, Museum Manager, said “the museum garden is always such a pleasant place to be in the summer, the addition of the knitted flowers and bugs seemed perfect. We can’t wait to see our visitors’ faces as they explore the garden and discover the beautiful knitted artwork nestled among the blossoming garden.”

For more information please visit www.frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk or contact the museum on 0115 984 6914 or email office@frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk

The Museum of Nottingham Life, at Brewhouse Yard, depicts the social history of Nottingham history over the last 300 years. The museum is supported by a team of volunteers who take an active part in providing information and assistance to enhance the visitor’s experience by welcoming visitors, providing information about the history of the site and supervising the contents of each room ensuring their safety.

Nottingham City Museums and Galleries are looking for confident people to help bring Nottingham’s history alive in the Rock Cottage Victorian school room through playing various historical characters in costume. Last year  a new exciting role was created whereby volunteers in character could deliver short interactive sessions as Victorian schoolmasters at the Museum of Nottingham Life, Brewhouse Yard on Saturdays between 12-4pm. The sessions have proved very popular with the public and Nottingham City Museums Galleries are now recruiting more volunteers.

Where: The Museum of Nottingham Life, Brewhouse Yard, Castle Blvd, Nottingham, NG1 6AD

When: Shifts are available every Saturday 12 – 4pm

Commitment: At least one day a month (can be flexible upon prior arrangement) on a going basis.

Main tasks: Interacting with the public as an historical character for the purpose of informing, entertaining and engaging which includes

• Delivering pre written scripts.
• Delivering 15-20 minute regular interactive performances to the public in the school room.
• Handling objects as part of the character.
• Providing gallery and collections security.

Skills and Experience:

• A pleasant and helpful manner and willingness to learn.
• Good communication skills.
• Enthusiasm for history and heritage.
• Ability to work in a team with volunteers and site staff

Training related specifically to costumed interpretation will be given, so no experience needed, but any acting or performance experience would be useful to this role.

Costumes will be provided in variety of sizes.

Willingness to learn various scripts and increase your own knowledge of the subject matter. Full training will be given.

Be part of a project to define historic boundaries.

A pilot study for this project has already been completed involving Bingham Heritage Trails Association, Bramcote Local History Group and east Bradford Local History Group. It is now ready to be taken up within the region.

The idea of the project is to involve local groups in a regional exercise to map their local parish boundaries and identify features of archaeological and historic interest. The result will be a unique online resource accessible to anyone with an interest in historic landscapes and will serve as an important record. The database will be built up over time and it is hoped that eventually the whole of the East Midlands will be covered.

A Cloud-based database, topographic map and GIS will be available free to anyone who wishes to participate. Training will be available if required.

This project is in line with the Council for British Archaeology’s mission for increasing participation and discovery. Anyone interested in history or archaeology can take part.

For information please contact boundaries@archeologyUK.org

The Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington will be holding their fourth annual Garden Party and spectacular musical event on Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August 2015, 11.00 – 4.00. The event offers FREE entry to the museum and is suitable for all ages.

Why not relax in the beautiful garden at the Framework Knitters Museum and enjoy a day of musical entertainment, tea & cake and textile crafts. Chill out with the perfect soundtrack to a summer’s afternoon with live music performed by local artists including the return of King Ned Ludd and other singers and performers. Of course the Garden Party would not be complete without a wide selection of naughty cakes served on the lawn. The museum also offers an opportunity to have-a-go at the circular knitting machines, see craftspeople in action and buy locally made textile gifts from our unique Textile Emporium.

This is one garden party the weather can’t spoil as the museum has a large chapel on site which will provide the perfect venue should the sun be in short supply. Paul Baker, the Museum Manager, said “we’re extremely excited about the musical program this year. Last year was an overwhelming success with our beautiful garden full of families enjoying the entertainment and cakes and this year we intend to offer a wider range of performers and activities. We look forward to welcoming visitors to this wonderful free event.” Further details of performers will be advertised on the museum website, Facebook and Twitter pages

The event takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August, from 11am – 4pm (museum opens at 11.00am). Admission is free.

For more information please visit Framework Knitters Museum or contact the museum on 0115 984 6914 or office@frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk.

Byron Festival Programme 2015

Every year the International Byron Festival takes place in Hucknall and at places associated with the poet Lord Byron.

This ever-popular annual festival features a variety of activities to suit all ages and interests in and around Hucknall. Visitors from far and wide join local residents as they participate in:

Ghostly tales of Annesley Old Church
Drama and musical productions
Open air activities or performances in the Market Place
Fascinating visits to places of interest where Byron once trod
Byron at Newstead Abbey
Local heritage and Byronic displays / exhibitions
Poetry and music activities
A variety of children’s activities

There is definitely something for all the family with many events and activities being free of charge.

For further details please contact the John Godber Centre on 0115 9639633 or email: godbercentre@btconnect.com

Did you know that both The Thoroton Society and NLHA offer financial support to encourage research in local history and archaeology in Nottinghamshire?

Geoffrey Bond Research Awards

Geoffrey Bond, a life member of the Thoroton Society, has kindly provided funds to underwrite research into the history and archaeology of the county of Nottinghamshire.

Awards totalling £1000 are available annually.

Terms and Conditions

1. Anyone, or any group, currently researching the history or archaeology of Nottinghamshire is invited to apply for financial support from the fund. Applicants, whether individuals or groups are limited to one award per year but are not prohibited from applying for awards in successive years.

2. What the money can be used for?

i. The money can be used to support research into any topic relating to the history or archaeology of the county. This may include the acquisition of research resources, including books and photography/photocopying, and travel expenses. Applications are also welcome from individuals or groups currently working up a project on Nottinghamshire especially where some financial support will lead to an application to, for example, the Heritage Lottery Fund, research councils (RCUK), or research charities such as the Leverhulme Trust.

ii. Awards will not be made towards the payment of fees (as in the form of fees to a university for registering for a doctoral programme, or groups wanting to employ someone, or for subventions towards the cost of publication. [Note that the Nottinghamshire Local History Association has awards for this purpose.]

3. Applications.

i. Anyone wishing to apply to the fund for support must do so on or before 1 September 2015. [NB that this date is likely to change in subsequent years.]

ii. The application should take the form of a statement (maximum 2 pages A4) outlining the nature of the research being undertaken, plans for dissemination of the research (including by publication) and the way in which it is intended to use the award. The total sum applied for should be clearly stated.

iii. Applicants should include an indicative budget under appropriate headings (i.e. travel, reprographics, readers’ fees, subsistence etc).

iv. Applicants should also include a one-page (A4) curriculum vitae in the case of an individual, statement of purpose in the case of a group.

v. Applications should be submitted by e-mail to the honorary secretary [mailto:barbaracast@btinternet.com].

Decisions will be taken by a committee of the society’s Council by 30 September. Any money awarded will normally be paid by BACS transfer or society cheque on the presentation of receipts, although an upfront payment may be made in exceptional circumstances such as, for example, pre-booked travel. The grant recipient will be responsible for guaranteeing the appropriate use of the funds. It is a condition of the award that receipts are kept (for auditing purposes) and that an account of expenditure is returned at the end of the award period.

4. What will be expected of the recipient?

i) All activity associated with the award should be completed within one year (i.e. 30 September following the award), at which point a short report (maximum 2 sides A4) should be submitted, outlining the work undertaken, its outcomes, plans for dissemination (including publication) and an account of expenditure accompanied by supporting receipts.

ii. Award recipients will be expected to write a short article about their research project for an edition of the Society’s quarterly newsletter, and will be encouraged to write up some or all of their research for possible inclusion in the Society’s annual volume of Transactions or its online Heritage Gateway. Receipt of an award does not guarantee publication, which is subject to the usual editorial processes. Recipients may also be invited to contribute to the Society’s annual lecture programme.

5. Award recipients should acknowledge their award in any future publications or outputs from the research.

6. In the event of award recipients being unable to undertake the work for which financial support was granted, the award will be withdrawn.

NLHA Publications Fund

Awards totalling £200 are available annually.

1. Funds are provided on the basis of a grant not  loan.

2. Applicants must provide a copy (or significant extract for larger publications) for consideration and NLHA reserves the right to reject applications where the standard of the work, the content or the presentation would harm the reputation of NLHA.

3. Publications must relate to the general theme of Nottinghamshire local history.

4. NLHA contribution must be fully acknowledged within the publication and wherever the publication is advertised.

The Framework Knitters Museum and Pupils from Rushcliffe School at the Awards (From L-R: Paul Baker, Museum Manager; Audrey Winkler, Chair of the Framework Knitters Museum Trustees; Davey Ivens, Museum Development East Midlands; Alasdair Patrick, Awards Judge; Eleanor Watson, Pupil; Jack Dewick, Pupil)

The Framework Knitters Museum, Ruddington, has been hugely successful at the East Midlands Heritage Awards. The textile museum won the Award for Engaging Children and Young People, and was Highly Commended for the Award for Innovation.

The Award for Engaging Children and Young People was awarded to the museum for a unique collaborative project to redevelop the museum undertaken with Rushcliffe School. The £100,000 redevelopment was made possible by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Museums Development East Midlands. It included improvements to the historic site and the visitor experience, as well as the launch of two new galleries and a ground breaking new education programme. The students were involved with the planning and design of the redevelopment, and they also starred in a unique interactive educational film and helped to develop the script and contribute to the production process.

It is not unusual for museums to consult with their community and audience when creating new exhibitions, or conducting a redevelopment, but where this project stands out is how involved the group of students were. At each stage of creation and production they were given a chance to review what was going on and provide input, interacting with the museum and film professionals, in a frank and honest way. The consultants involved in the project were contractually required to work with the students which gave the pupils a unique opportunity to work alongside professionals. The students were also given the opportunity to meet with the museum’s marketing consultant to discuss how the redevelopment was going to be promoted.

The museum was Highly Commended in the Award for Innovation for the film that forms the core of the museum’s new education programme. The film, which was partly funded by Nottinghamshire County Council, engages the audience by allowing them to control the story by making key decisions on behalf of the lead character. Using the historic background of the Luddite riots it encourages the viewer to consider the decisions modern-day children and teenagers face regarding peer pressure and criminality. The film was recorded on-site at the Framework Knitters Museum, and at the Galleries of Justice Museum.

Paul Baker, Museum Manager, said, “we are thrilled to have been so successful at the East Midlands Heritage Awards, both for ourselves and the students we worked with at Rushcliffe School. The partnership was a great experience all round, and we are incredibly proud of what we achieved”.

This is the second awards competition the museum has achieved success at recently. They won the Websites and Online Content Category, with the interactive film Breaking the Frame, at the European Heritage in Motion Awards last month.

For more information please visit Framework Knitters Museum, or contact the museum on 0115 984 6914 or office@frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk.

Highclere Castle

Have you considered getting your heritage site on screen?

Think of Downton Abbey; what image comes to mind? If you’re like the majority of the world you’re probably imagining Highclere Castle right now, the iconic location used as the setting for the highly popular TV series. Data shows that locations receive increased tourism and economic benefit from being on screen. Nottinghamshire has a wealth of currently untapped opportunities on offer and therefore the more we make available the more we can represent, promote and support our beautiful and amazing heritage. As a Creative England partner and film friendly region, Nottinghamshire is ready to be put on the filmmakers’ map.

Creative England works in partnership with the British Film Commission to support film and television productions shooting in the English regions, and to promote England as a fantastic place to film. Creative England’s library of film locations in the English regions is a fully searchable database of filming locations outside London.

Your property could be just what filmmakers are looking for, be it a cottage or a castle, a suburban semi or stately home, wasteland or country park. You can earn fees from the use of your property as a filming location and the right production can have a positive effect on visitor numbers.

In order to register your property you can either enter your location directly onto the database or the Film Nottingham office is there to support you with this.

To find out more and register directly on the database visit: creativeengland

For further information and local support contact Faith at the Film Nottingham office: faith.blakemore@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Twitter: @FilmNottingham
Facebook: Film Nottingham

The future of local history in Nottingham received a major boost at an awards ceremony in Nottingham’s Council House on the 20th May 2015. Around 1000 children in Primary Schools all over Nottingham are estimated to have participated in a project based on research into local history topics. The topics were linked to diverse work that followed the National Curriculum. The awards were established by the Wright family in remembrance of Brenda Wright who had been a passionate interest in local history and who was for some years a guide for the city. The awards were organised by Andrew and Adrian Wright, Brenda’s sons. The event was supported by The City of Nottingham Rotary Club. The awards evening was hosted by the Wright brothers and the awards were presented by the Sheriff of Nottingham, Councillor Mohammed Saghir.

Chris Weir, the NLHA vice chairman attended the event as a guest and the possible involvement of NLHA in the event next year was discussed.

Photograph…’Some proud winners of Young Historian Awards at Nottingham’s Council House’