Bank Holiday Monday will be celebrated 1940s style at Brewhouse Yard Museum. © Joanna Shimwell

Nottingham’s Old Market Square celebrated the launch of Museums and Galleries Month on May 1 with costume-clad figures and a range of stands advertising what’s happening throughout the month.

Visitors could look at an exciting collection of items from Wollaton Hall’s Natural History Museum and Nottingham Castle’s impressive display of ceramics.

All sorts of characters were to be seen on Market Square. © Joanna Shimwell

Costumed characters representing the history of Nottingham’s heritage sites were giving out information telling people what the city has to offer as part of the national scheme to promote museums and galleries.

Organiser Jo Kemp says there is something to interest everyone, including the chance to visit museums in the evening. On May 16 you can spend ‘A Night at the Museum’ at Wollaton Hall with movies and music to suit families.

“It’s about trying to engage people who don’t normally visit museums and galleries and who wouldn’t consider themselves as regular museum goers," said Jo. "We’ve been talking to people today who’ve never been to the Castle because they don’t know what’s on offer.”

This fetching lady also helped spread the word about MGM 2008. © Joanna Shimwell

One of the most exciting events is a 1940s style ‘Knees-Up’ on May 5, when over a hundred costumed actors will celebrate May Day at Nottingham’s Brewhouse Yard Museum. Expect to see vintage vehicles, singing, and dancing. The Red Cross will be painting ‘wounds’ on people and there will even be a mini air-raid.

“We use the whole site, and there’s so much to do the place will be buzzing,” said Ann Inscker from Brewhouse Yard.

Full listings for MGM 2008 events can be found by searching the 24 Hour Museum's What's On section for dates in May.

Joanna Shimwell is one of our three Renaissance East Midlands arts writers, reporting on MGM 2008 events all over the region for the whole month of May. Renaissance is the groundbreaking initiative to transform England's regional museums, led by MLA, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.