News & Events for Wallingford Museum
Agatha Christie Weekend
The fourth Agatha Christie Weekend will be held throughout Wallingford and Cholsey from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th Sept 2017.
This is an event which is growing each year and attracts tourists from afar as well as being of interest to local residents.
Volunteers are now planning the events, and anyone will be welcome to support the organising group in making this another successful occasion.
This year's programme can be viewed HERE
If you would like to be involved, please contact Judy Dewey on 01491 651127 or judy@piepowder.co.uk
New exhibitions at Wallingford Museum in 2017
What did Wallingford Castle look like?
Wallingford Castle was one of the greatest royal strongholds of Medieval England, and it ranked alongside the Tower of London and Windsor Castle in its importance in the Thames valley. When Wallingford Museum opened with its new exhibitions on 1st March there was also on display a new artistic impression of the Castle. The new illustration has been produced by Museum volunteer June Strong, whose striking drawing brings to life the amazing details discovered in newly translated documents and investigations, revealing the daily life and the layout of the Castle.
There are three new exhibitions:-
- 'Wallingford Castle - the Inside Story' presents a closer look at different parts of the Castle as revealed in the new documentary research. It explores how Wallingford and its local area was linked to the castle through provision of many essential goods, services, animals and food. Details include what has been suggested about the layout and uses of the castle buildings and their architectural details - as interpreted in the striking new ‘artist’s impression’ by June Strong. It also considers where the building materials came from, how they were carried and who was employed. So come along and find out the latest about this incredible medieval royal castle!
- 'Pettits: past to present' exhibition gives a history of Wallingford's department store, and the family who have run it from its beginning in 1856 to the present day.
- 'Ways to Wallingford' describes how Wallingford has been an important crossing point on the Thames since the Saxon times. This exhibition looks at the development of transport to and from the town over the ages, considering the impact of roads, the river Thames, railways and aviation. In addition to looking at how the routes evolved and improved it covers the many uses of transport, including the importance of RAF Benson which was established just before the Second World War.
Special events during 2017
There will be special events during this year including Town and Castle history walks (8 April), regular Saturday morning town history walks (from 15 April to 30 Sept), A Night at the Museum (19 May and 27 Oct), Family Archaeology Day (22 July), BunkFest offers, and the Agatha Christie Weekend (8-10 Sept).
Regular Town Walks resume in 2017!
We’re delighted to announce that you can now join a Guided Historic Town Walk on any Saturday morning from 15 April until 30 September, starting from the Town Hall at 11.00am. Walks last 1 - 2 hours and cost £5 per head, money which will be donated to support Wallingford Museum.
These are general walks covering the rich history of our town, but also touching on the links with Agatha Christie and 'Midsomer Murders'. They will appeal to residents and visitors alike.
There’s no need to book, just turn up at the Town Hall at 11.00am on any Saturday until end-Sept.
If you’d like to organise a Town Walk like this for your group / society / school at a different time, then please contact Philip Burton on 01491-836200 or pburton6@talktalk.net
Our Walks can be led by a German-speaking guide - please contact Philip in advance to arrange.
Alternatively, we also offer more specialist history walks by arrangement - an in-depth view of the Town or Castle, or of Agatha Christie's 42 years in the town - tailored to your group's interests. (These walks can also be combined with a visit to Wallingford Museum). To pursue this option, please contact Judy Dewey on 01491- 651127 or judy@piepowder.co.uk
Family Archaeology Day
On Saturday 22 July from 11am – 4pm Wallingford Museum has organised another exciting Family Archaeology Day at the Museum.
A small archaeological excavation will be taking place in the Museum courtyard and you’ll be able learn all about how archaeology is done from the experts. You’ll also be able to take part in some ‘hands-on’ work - pot-washing, sieving, and much more. Then you can find out how to begin to identify the sort of pottery that helps to date the finds from archaeology, and even try making your own pots for fun!
There’ll be a display of things found in past years in the Museum courtyard, including pictures of the medieval fireplace found in 2016 and the rare medieval chess piece which is now on display at the Museum!
In addition our expert, Steve Head, will be on hand to identify your fossils and any other objects you might have dug up. Steve will also be able to show you some of his own fossil collection from around the world.
We’ll also have pictures and some details of the recently found Roman villa site at Cholsey (excavated by Foundation Archaeology) and the archaeology that has been happening under the old Waitrose site in St Martin’s Street (excavated by Cotswold Archaeology).
You’ll be able to explore the delights of the Museum - find the Roman skeleton, the woolly mammoth bones, spearheads, daggers, stones from the lost Priory; handle the cannon ball, search the ‘smelly-feely’ drawers, and complete a quiz sheet - plenty to interest and occupy the whole family!
Of course, you can also have a good look at this year’s special museum exhibitions
where you can find out what Wallingford Castle looked like. The 'Pettits: past to present' exhibition gives a history of Wallingford's department store; and the 'Ways to Wallingford' exhibition looks at the development of transport to and from the town over the ages, including the importance of RAF Benson which was established just before the Second World War. There are more displays about 'At home with the Queen of Crime: Agatha Christie’, and Midsomer Murders (Wallingford is Causton in the TV series).
So there’s plenty of family entertainment for this special archaeology day!
Entry is by Museum ticket at the door - £5 per adult (which gives unlimited entry until 30 November) but accompanied children are FREE.
Can you help us?
Wallingford Museum is looking for people to help with the running of this popular attraction and we would love to hear from you if you have half a day or more to spare once a month. Our band of volunteer custodians are critical to the museum's success and we need people to greet visitors and be in attendance for a morning or afternoon once a month between March and November.
No previous experience necessary other than a desire to meet people!
Please contact Gerard Latham on 01491 832224 or email Gerard@walcots.co.uk
The fourth Agatha Christie Weekend will be held throughout Wallingford and Cholsey from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th Sept 2017.
This is an event which is growing each year and attracts tourists from afar as well as being of interest to local residents.
Volunteers are now planning the events, and anyone will be welcome to support the organising group in making this another successful occasion.
This year's programme can be viewed HERE
If you would like to be involved, please contact Judy Dewey on 01491 651127 or judy@piepowder.co.uk
New exhibitions at Wallingford Museum in 2017
What did Wallingford Castle look like?
Wallingford Castle was one of the greatest royal strongholds of Medieval England, and it ranked alongside the Tower of London and Windsor Castle in its importance in the Thames valley. When Wallingford Museum opened with its new exhibitions on 1st March there was also on display a new artistic impression of the Castle. The new illustration has been produced by Museum volunteer June Strong, whose striking drawing brings to life the amazing details discovered in newly translated documents and investigations, revealing the daily life and the layout of the Castle.
There are three new exhibitions:-
- 'Wallingford Castle - the Inside Story' presents a closer look at different parts of the Castle as revealed in the new documentary research. It explores how Wallingford and its local area was linked to the castle through provision of many essential goods, services, animals and food. Details include what has been suggested about the layout and uses of the castle buildings and their architectural details - as interpreted in the striking new ‘artist’s impression’ by June Strong. It also considers where the building materials came from, how they were carried and who was employed. So come along and find out the latest about this incredible medieval royal castle!
- 'Pettits: past to present' exhibition gives a history of Wallingford's department store, and the family who have run it from its beginning in 1856 to the present day.
- 'Ways to Wallingford' describes how Wallingford has been an important crossing point on the Thames since the Saxon times. This exhibition looks at the development of transport to and from the town over the ages, considering the impact of roads, the river Thames, railways and aviation. In addition to looking at how the routes evolved and improved it covers the many uses of transport, including the importance of RAF Benson which was established just before the Second World War.
Special events during 2017
There will be special events during this year including Town and Castle history walks (8 April), regular Saturday morning town history walks (from 15 April to 30 Sept), A Night at the Museum (19 May and 27 Oct), Family Archaeology Day (22 July), BunkFest offers, and the Agatha Christie Weekend (8-10 Sept).
Regular Town Walks resume in 2017!
We’re delighted to announce that you can now join a Guided Historic Town Walk on any Saturday morning from 15 April until 30 September, starting from the Town Hall at 11.00am. Walks last 1 - 2 hours and cost £5 per head, money which will be donated to support Wallingford Museum.
These are general walks covering the rich history of our town, but also touching on the links with Agatha Christie and 'Midsomer Murders'. They will appeal to residents and visitors alike.
There’s no need to book, just turn up at the Town Hall at 11.00am on any Saturday until end-Sept.
If you’d like to organise a Town Walk like this for your group / society / school at a different time, then please contact Philip Burton on 01491-836200 or pburton6@talktalk.net
Our Walks can be led by a German-speaking guide - please contact Philip in advance to arrange.
Alternatively, we also offer more specialist history walks by arrangement - an in-depth view of the Town or Castle, or of Agatha Christie's 42 years in the town - tailored to your group's interests. (These walks can also be combined with a visit to Wallingford Museum). To pursue this option, please contact Judy Dewey on 01491- 651127 or judy@piepowder.co.uk
Family Archaeology Day
On Saturday 22 July from 11am – 4pm Wallingford Museum has organised another exciting Family Archaeology Day at the Museum.
A small archaeological excavation will be taking place in the Museum courtyard and you’ll be able learn all about how archaeology is done from the experts. You’ll also be able to take part in some ‘hands-on’ work - pot-washing, sieving, and much more. Then you can find out how to begin to identify the sort of pottery that helps to date the finds from archaeology, and even try making your own pots for fun!
There’ll be a display of things found in past years in the Museum courtyard, including pictures of the medieval fireplace found in 2016 and the rare medieval chess piece which is now on display at the Museum!
In addition our expert, Steve Head, will be on hand to identify your fossils and any other objects you might have dug up. Steve will also be able to show you some of his own fossil collection from around the world.
We’ll also have pictures and some details of the recently found Roman villa site at Cholsey (excavated by Foundation Archaeology) and the archaeology that has been happening under the old Waitrose site in St Martin’s Street (excavated by Cotswold Archaeology).
You’ll be able to explore the delights of the Museum - find the Roman skeleton, the woolly mammoth bones, spearheads, daggers, stones from the lost Priory; handle the cannon ball, search the ‘smelly-feely’ drawers, and complete a quiz sheet - plenty to interest and occupy the whole family!
Of course, you can also have a good look at this year’s special museum exhibitions
where you can find out what Wallingford Castle looked like. The 'Pettits: past to present' exhibition gives a history of Wallingford's department store; and the 'Ways to Wallingford' exhibition looks at the development of transport to and from the town over the ages, including the importance of RAF Benson which was established just before the Second World War. There are more displays about 'At home with the Queen of Crime: Agatha Christie’, and Midsomer Murders (Wallingford is Causton in the TV series).
So there’s plenty of family entertainment for this special archaeology day!
Entry is by Museum ticket at the door - £5 per adult (which gives unlimited entry until 30 November) but accompanied children are FREE.
Can you help us?
Wallingford Museum is looking for people to help with the running of this popular attraction and we would love to hear from you if you have half a day or more to spare once a month. Our band of volunteer custodians are critical to the museum's success and we need people to greet visitors and be in attendance for a morning or afternoon once a month between March and November.
No previous experience necessary other than a desire to meet people!
Please contact Gerard Latham on 01491 832224 or email Gerard@walcots.co.uk
