Welcome to the 24 Hour Museum news in brief page for the week ending February 17 2008.

15.02.2008 – National Gallery of Scotland acquires Old Masters

The National Gallery of Scotland has acquired two Old Master paintings with the help of grants totalling £180,000 from The Art Fund.

The Gallery has purchased ‘The Transfiguration’ by Lodovico Carracci (£500,000), and ‘The Miracle of the Loaves’ by Abraham Bloemart (£250,000) – both 16th century paintings.

‘The Transfiguration’ is the first painting by Carracci to enter the National Gallery of Scotland’s collection, while the Bloemart will fill a gap in its representation of Dutch and Flemish art.

Picture: Lodovico Carracci, The Transfiguration, c1588. Courtesy The Art Fund

15.02.2008 - Manchester Museum of Transport to re-open

The Greater Manchester Museum of Transport will re-open on Saturday 16 February following emergency repairs that forced it to close in December 2007.

Electrical repairs in the 100-year-old building in Cheetham have cost £30,000 – money which museum staff are hoping visitors will help to raise.

For the rest of the month, entrance fees are being halved to encourage visitors back.

15.02.2008 – Cardiff gallery gets funding to develop Professional Development Programme for Artists

g39 contemporary art gallery in Cardiff has secured substantial funding from the Arts Council of Wales and the Esmée Fairbairn trust to develop a new Professional Development Programme for artists across Wales that will provide training, advice and information tailored specifically for artists at the beginning of their career.

Through its new Professional Development Programme, g39 will continue the invaluable work of specialist advice services to help young and emerging artists in Wales to achieve success in an exhibiting career or visual arts enterprise.

15.02.2008 – Historic papers come home to Norfolk

Amazing documents dating back to the 16th century have been returned to Norfolk after they were discovered by chance in America.

More than 40 historic papers, including handwritten histories and maps of Heacham and Sedgeford, were given to local historian Chris Mackie, who is going to deposit them in the Norfolk Record Office.

The papers came his way from California eight years after he bought a book from a shop there, called Heacham Tales. A writer who worked in the shop told him about some papers relating to Norfolk that she owned, and made photocopies of them for him. Now Arlene Kavlock has given them to him, without accepting any money even for their transport.

One of the most interesting papers, from 1677-78, contains details of the taxing of residents for raising money to build 60 warships.

The acquisition echoes a story from 2004, when Norfolk records bought by a Hollywood director were returned to the county from Los Angeles (read the story).

14.02.2008 - New gallery at National Maritime Museum recalls Falmouth's heyday as a port

A new gallery called Falmouth, First and Last, has opened at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, Cornwall.

The new gallery explores the once thriving port - Britain’s first and last port of call - whilst a new exhibition, titled Falmouth for Orders, concentrates on the heyday of Falmouth’s port from 1850 to 1910.

During this period, Falmouth was chosen by hundreds of ships from all over the world as the first port of call after crossing the Atlantic, to make repairs, take on supplies and receive orders for their onward destination.

The ship agency was the hub of communication between ships owners and their cargo and the creation of this new exhibition has been developed with the assistance of Charles Fox, a member of the family which ran GC Fox and Company, the largest ship agency in Falmouth, dating back to 1762.

“It is good that this little known but vital profession is being given recognition by the Museum as a very important part in the evolution of Falmouth’s history," said Charles. "The ship agency has always been responsible for generating considerable business both locally and further afield.”

The eventual development of wireless communication enabled ships to communicate with their owners without making landfall, at which point the phrase “Falmouth for Orders” quickly became outdated and redundant.

Picture (detail) shows boats seeking shelter and drying their sails in Falmouth Harbour after the Great Blizzard of 1891.

14.02.2008 - Archaeologists investigate Roman wooden drain in Colchester

A Roman drainpipe discovered on a Colchester building site and believed to be one of the oldest ever found in the UK is being investigated by archaeologists.

A five-metre length has so far been uncovered, and the excavators from Colchester Archaeological Trust hope to expose a further five metres by the weekend.

14.02.2008 - Stratford Station to get art makeover for the Olympics

Art on the Underground, the art programme for London Underground (LU) is developing a major new series of artworks in and around Stratford station in the lead up to and beyond the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Tube station will become a flagship site for temporary and permanent commissions with artists invited to work on projects that involve people and places in their creative processes, either as the subject or as a direct participant.

They will work directly with individuals and groups who live in, work in and visit Stratford, involving them in the creation of artworks made specifically for exhibition on site.

Artists Alan Kane and Lucy Harrison begin research at the station in February 2008 and their work will culminate in October, coinciding with the launch of the Cultural Olympiad, the culture strategy for the Games.

The work will be the latest in a series across the LU network. Other innovative works included a poster giveaway where 125,000 artworks were distributed at key stations, limited-edition Oyster wallets, an entire Piccadilly line Tube wrapped in an art work and pocket Tube map covers.

14.02.2008 - Tea and Coffee Museum founder Edward Bramah dies

Edward Bramah, founder of the Bramah Museum of Tea & Coffee, the world's first museum devoted entirely to the history of tea and coffee, has died at the age of 76.

The museum first opened on Butler's Wharf, near Tower Bridge in London, in 1992 and is now based in Southwark.

Bramah was born in Worksop Derbyshire in 1931 and became a tea planter in 1950. He eventually formed his own company, Bramah Tea & Coffee and formed the nucleus of his collection from a pile of early coffee machines which he had dismantled in order to invent his own, the Bramah Filter.

13.02.2008 - Archaeological Valentine find logged at Museum of London

Kate Sutton, Finds Liaison Officer at the Museum of London, has logged a very timely find - a heart-shaped Victorian pewter pendant.

The object, which has been offered up by the Thames just in time for Valentine’s Day, is a small romantic relic, found on the river foreshore, and was unearthed by mudlarker Anita Freeman.

All finds discovered along the Thames are reported to Kate, at the Museum as part of the Portbale Antiquities Scheme. “The Thames holds trinkets and tokens of Londoners in love throughout the ages" said Kate.

"Posy rings with pledged inscriptions of adoration, and memento mori rings often come in, but this was a little different, and a wonderfully timely find.”

13.02.2008 - The Collection welcomes its first artist in residence

The Collection in Lincoln has announced its first artist in residence, John Newling.

John will be using the new studio at the Terrace in the Cultural Quarter of Lincoln, as a base for his visits until the end of March. Working on a number of ideas and concepts, his work will be highly visible in the glass-fronted space, which will soon be launched as the ‘Collection Studio’.

In the future, the space will be used by other renowned artists, but also available for local artists to use free of charge.

13.02.2008 - Scots playwright to evolve with the John Murray Archive

The National Library of Scotland’s campaign to bring the John Murray Archive to life continues with the appointment of noted Scottish playwright Peter Arnott as writer-in-residence to tackle what he describes as ‘the most dangerous book ever written’.

Supported by the Scottish Arts Council and the John Murray Archive Charitable Trust, the purpose of the year long residency is for Arnott to create and produce a series of dramatic works based on the wealth of correspondence held in the John Murray Archive about Charles Darwin and the publication of On the Origin of Species.

"The material includes the letter from Darwin which accompanied the original manuscript and subsequent correspondence involving the Reverend Elwin who famously suggested that Darwin should instead write about pigeons," said Arnott.

"Both for the development of my own work, and for the chance to communicate my passion about the importance of Darwin's quiet revolution, this is an opportunity I'm very excited to take."

13.02.2008 - Student work responding to exhibition goes on show at British Library

Avant Garde in the 21st century is revealed through a new installation at the British Library by competition winner Rebecca Pohancenik from Kingston University.

The competition was organised by the British Library to accompany its current exhibition, ‘Breaking the Rules: The Printed Face of the European Avant Garde’.

Postgraduate students from across the creative disciplines were invited to submit designs that explored the relevance of Avant Garde philosophy and demonstrate how it has influenced their work.

Working with the British Library’s exhibition team, Rebecca’s project involved stitching together 48 blank 'books' from red, white and black paper. Her work can now be seen on display in the British Library shop window, overlooking the Piazza.

12.02.2008 – Lewisham Billiards Hall listed

An Edwardian billiards hall in Lewisham, London, has been given listed status, heartening its supporters who were concerned it could be demolished.

Now the former Temperance Billiards Hall at 233-241 Lewisham High Street will be protected, despite plans in 2007 to demolish the building. Designed by Norman Evans and built in 1909-10, the Hall has Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau features.

“This is excellent news,” said Heloise Brown, Conservation Adviser of the Victorian Society. “The hall is a strikingly handsome example of early 20th century architecture. It is clearly very popular locally and has a lot to contribute to Lewisham’s historic character. We hope that its new listed status will mean that it gets the care and protection it deserves.”

12.02.2008 - Historic 17th century house in Leith to be turned into residential units

One of Leith’s finest buildings, the 17th century Lamb's House, is set to be restored to its former glory under plans unveiled by Historic Scotland that will also re-open a medieval close and revive the original character of the house's setting.

The proposal takes into account feedback from a public consultation exercise last year and aims to further the long-term regeneration of the area. The house itself will be returned to residential housing units. A landscaped public courtyard and panels charting the history of the building are also part of the plans.

12.02.2008 - Welsh Museums survey published by Welsh Assembly Government

A comprehensive survey of Wales’ museums and collections has been published by the Welsh Assembly Government

The survey report, entitled ‘Spotlight on Museums’, was commissioned by CyMAL, the Assembly Government’s Museums, Archives and Libraries division and will inform the development of a new museums strategy for Wales.

106 of Wales’s 143 museums participated in the survey, including Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales sites and independent and local authority museums.

The detailed survey looked at staffing, collections, access and learning, audience development, volunteer programmes and physical aspects such as buildings, facilities and storage. It also provides information working patterns and finance including admission charges, budgets and funding and support arrangements.

The evidence from ‘Spotlight on Museums’ will feed into a body of work already underway to develop a new strategy for the sector in Wales due to be released in summer 2008.

12.02.2008 - Experts examine Derby bones to see if they are Anglo-Saxon

Investigations are continuing into the discovery of a skull, collar bones and arm bones, found at the Cathedral Green site in Derby last week, to determine if they date back to Anglo-Saxon times.

Historians and archaeologists are hoping the discovery could shed light on the city's history, which is shrouded in mystery before 920 AD.

The bones were found by workmen working on a new bridge across the River Derwent at Cathedral Green.

11.02.2008 - Plan to save Bronze Age boiler from the sea

Archaeologist have formulated a plan to save a Bronze Age burnt mound – thought to be a kind of prehistoric water heater – from the ravages of the sea on the Shetland coast.

The burnt mound, of which there are hundreds on Shetland, have a stone water tank and a fireplace connected by a sloping chute. Firecracked stones surround the structure, which are thought to have been heated in the fire and then plunged into the water to heat it. No-one knows the precise purpose – whether it was for cooking food or was even used as a sauna.

The example at Cruister is particularly good, but much of it has already eroded. Funding is being sought to dismantle what remains and rebuild it inland, in working order as a visitor attraction and education tool.

Having applied for planning permission, project co-ordinators Bressay Heritage Centre, with input from the Council for Scottish Archaeology and the SCAPE Trust are now looking for £70,000 in funding.

11.02.2008 - English Heritage oppose South Bank Skyscraper

English Heritage say they will be urging the Secretary of State to refuse planning permission for a 144m high residential tower on a site immediately behind the National Theatre on London’s South Bank.

English Heritage will be at the inquiry into the proposals, which opens tomorrow (Tuesday February 12 2008), and they will give expert advice on the impact of the scheme on the historic St James Park after the tower is built.

English Heritage believe the plan by Coin Street Community Builders (CSCB) to build a 43-storey tower would seriously damage cross-London views as well as the setting of listed buildings and Conservation Areas nearby.

“This development will seriously harm two of London’s most treasured views; the world-famous view of Whitehall from the bridge in St James’s Park and the sublime symmetry of the courtyard of Somerset House when viewed from its entrance,” said Philip Davies, Planning and Development Director for London and the South East at English Heritage.

"CSCB appear to have chosen to put a very tall building on this site for its own sake, regardless of the harm it will cause to the skyline of London," added Mr Davies. "Londoners - and the millions of people who visit our capital each year - deserve better.”

11.02.2008 - New Brewery Arts Centre opens in Cirencester

The New Brewery Arts, Cirencester, opened its shiny new doors to the public on Saturday February 9 after a major £2.7m refurbishment programme.

Once home to the Cirencester Brewery, the new centre has been established as a place for excellence in contemporary craft in Gloucestershire and boasts an art gallery, theatre and café and also functions as a community hub, with a workshop and education programme.

The centre opened with two exhibitions. In the Main Gallery is Made in the Middle, a major survey in contemporary craft featuring new works by some of the best designer makers in the West Midlands, whilst in the theatre space is a sister exhibition, At Home in the Cotswolds, the culmination of a major New Brewery Arts community outreach project.

Arts Council England provided funding of over £1.7m for the new centre and Cotswold District Council, who own the buildings, provided a major grant of £500,000. The remaining £500,000 was raised over a period of five years from a variety of national and local charitable trusts and donations and from a series of fundraising events.

11.02.2008 - New way to support the Tank Museum

The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset has launched a new page on the popular fundraising site Justgiving.com to raise funds for the museum's redevelopment project.

Museum fundraising manager Michael Bolton hopes supporters will use the page to make donations or as a base for their own fundraising activity to support the charity.

“With Justgiving.com, our supporters can also promote their own sponsorship activities," said Michael. "Fundraising pages are just like paper sponsorship forms, except they’re online."

The Tank Museum is currently in the midst of a major redevelopment project called At Close Quarters, which will create more space to display their artefacts. It has received £16 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, leaving a £5.5 million total fundraising target. Work is due to be completed by April 2009.

The dedicated Tank Museum section can be found at www.justgiving.com/tankmuseum. For more information contact Michael Bolton, Fundraising Manager, on 01929 462529.

11.02.2008 - Ram raiders steal copper diving gear from Lowestoft Maritime Museum

Part of a historic deep-sea diver's suit has been stolen by thieves who ram raided Lowestoft Maritime Museum last week.

Thieves are believed to have driven a motorbike through the reception doors at the museum between Saturday February 3 and Tuesday February 5 and hacked off the brass fittings of the old diving suit, which was displayed in a glass display cabinet.

Speaking to the Lowestoft Journal, Museum Curator Peter Parker said: “I came down to find they had got through the front door of the cottage; it looked like it had been ram-raided by a motorbike and the locks and deadlocks had been knocked out. It seems as though someone knew what was in the museum and they wanted it.”

Although the museum says the historical importance outweighs any monetary value, the items are believed to be worth in excess of £2,000.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Lowestoft police on 01986 835300.