Welcome to the 24 Hour Museum news in brief page for the week ending May 11 2008.

09.05.2008 – Open day at Portsmouth's Square Tower

On Wednesday May 14 there will be a rare chance to see inside one of Portsmouth's oldest and most atmospheric buildings, the Square Tower.

Built in 1494 as part of Portsmouth's fortifications - to prevent enemies from attacking the city and its naval facilities - the Square Tower was first used as the home of the governor of Portsmouth.

It later became a store for the Navy's gunpowder, and then for meat for feeding the crews of ships moored at Spithead. Also used as a signal station for communicating with the fleet, evidence of its many past uses can be seen inside the building.

The Square Tower, on Broad Street, will be open 4pm to 7pm. Admission is free. The Square Tower will also be open at the same times on Wednesday 18 June and Wednesday 16 July 2008.

09.05.2008 – Stowmarket Gypsy Arts Festival cancelled

The organisers of the 3rd Gypsy Arts Festival at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket regret they have had to cancel the event due to lack of funding.

The event, which has been run for the past two years as a celebration of Gypsy Traveller arts and culture, has seen Gypsy and Roma performers from as far afield as Rajasthan and the Balkans come to take part.

"It's a real shame that we haven't been able to confirm funding for this year's festival in Stowmarket," said Ros Green, Director of event partners Hungry Arts.

"But the good news is that the Gypsy Arts Festival is branching out with two new festivals in Edinburgh and Kent this summer. It's a case of fingers crossed that we can bring it back to Suffolk for 2009!"

08.05.2008 - Vauxhall opens the doors to its car museum

To coincide with the Luton Festival of Transport, Vauxhall will allow members of the public to view its collection of classic cars.

This year's annual open day at the Vauxhall Heritage Centre will take place on Sunday June 8. It will be the only day in 2008 when the world's largest private collection of Vauxhall cars will be open to the public.

The open day runs from 10am to 5pm, and costs nothing to enter. There will also be a free bus service between the Vauxhall Heritage Centre in Park Street, Luton, and the Festival of Transport in Stockwood Park.

07.05.2008 - En Garde at Cardiff Castle this weekend

Visitors to Cardiff Castle on Saturday May 10 - Sunday May 11 will be commanded to stand En Garde! as three of Britain's top combat artists put on a thrilling cut and thrust display in an interactive event which looks at the power of the sword through the ages.

Using the Romans as their starting point, the experts will swashbuckle their way through the centuries right up to the present day and modern fencing techniques.

Complementing the all-action displays are the children's entertainers Quintains and Coronals who will be entertaining younger visitors with chariot racing, drills with spears, swords and shields, Roman costumes and armour to try on.

For more information call the Cardiff Castle Ticket Office on 029 2087 8100.

06.05.2008 – Elgar Birthplace Museum, Worcester, on the hunt for volunteers

The Elgar Birthplace Museum in Lower Broadheath, Worcester, is urgently seeking new volunteers to help out at the museum.

The museum will be holding a familiarisation session on Tuesday May 13 at 11am for anyone interested in joining the team. Knowledge of Elgar's music is not essential as full training will be given.

Refreshments will be provided at the volunteer day and a video will be shown on arrival. After an introductory talk by Cathy Sloan, Museum Director, visitors will be given a free guided tour and volunteer pack to take away.

For further information, please contact The Elgar Birthplace Museum on 01905 333224 or email birthplace@elgarmuseum.org.

06.05.2008 - Stationary Engine Working Day at Amberley Working Museum

The annual Stationary Engine Working Day takes place at Amberley Working Museum on Sunday May 11.

The day shines the spotlight on a range of vintage stationary engines, displayed in a variety of different shapes and sizes and originally used for different purposes including agricultural and industrial work.

Some of the engines will be giving working demonstrations providing the public with a fascinating and nostalgic display of how these little giants can power a diverse selection of farm and industrial machinery.

The event includes standard entry allowing visitors to explore the whole of the 36 acre open air site, including a free working vintage bus service, narrow-gauge railway, roadmaking exhibition, print workshop, Connected Earth telecommunications exhibition and electricity hall.

06.05.2008 - Debate asks if public art is a waste of space

The National Gallery in London is hosting a debate on Wednesday May 7 that asks: "Is public art a waste of space?"

Taking place between 6.30 and 7.30pm, the panel will consist of Joan Bakewell, Sandy Nairne, Mark Titchner and Giles Waterfield who will explore the state of public art in the UK.

At the centre of the debate will be questions such as do we, the public, want public art and if so, what do we want to see? Does it enrich our lives or is it a waste of taxpayers' money? Should the UK be more daring in what it commissions?

Tickets are free and open to all, they can be reserved online at www.arts.ac.uk/events.