24 Hour Museum - official guide to UK museums, galleries, exhibitions and heritage
Gateway to Over 3,000 UK museums, galleries and heritage attractions
Skip to navigation
News In Brief - Week Ending August 12 2007
By 24 Hour Museum Staff
10/08/2007
Welcome to the 24 Hour Museum news in brief page for the week ending August 12 2007.
Image: photo of the entrance to a concrete building with the words 'central library' on it
10.08.2007 - Finalists of Love Libraries award announced
The five finalists of the Love Libraries award have been announced from a long list of projects for young people at 48 public libraries across the UK.
They are: Urban Art at Birmingham Central Library, Book Pushers in Derbyshire Libraries, Youth Forum in Grangetown Library, Variety Shows in Lambeth Libraries and Get it Loud in Libraries at Lancaster Library.
"This is a really exciting time for libraries and the outstanding quality of entries we received show just how innovative and cutting-edge libraries are when it comes to engaging young people," said John Dolan, Head of Library Policy at the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, who led the awards scheme.
"The competition is intense but to me the five projects are already winners because they have proven their services are relevant and responsive to young people today."
Voting for the overall winner starts from August 13-September 14 with the winner being announced at a ceremony in London on October 3. The public can vote via the Love Libraries website where further information about the finalists can be found.
10.08.2007 - Arbroath Abbey launches annual photography competition
Arbroath Abbey, in Angus, Scotland, has launched its annual photography competition.
Local education and community groups are being invited to get behind the lens and take part in this popular project, now in its third year.
Photography and darkroom workshops will be led by a professional photographer before the entries are displayed at a special exhibition in November 2007.
"We are excited to be launching Arbroath Abbey Photography Project and would encourage all groups interested in taking part to get in touch," said Alison Muir, Education Officer at Historic Scotland.
"The project not only gives a fascinating insight into the world of photography but also the abbey itself, as groups are encouraged to take a closer look at the architectural features of this magnificent landmark. It is a great chance to adopt a new hobby as well as discover a lot more about Scotland's heritage."
Any group wishing to take part should call Historic Scotland education unit on 0131 668 8793.
Image: photo of a group of young people holding a banner with the words 'national trust' on it
09.08.2007 - Scouts descend on National Trust properties as part of centenary jamboree
Almost 2,000 scouts from around the world, including India, Croatia and Poland, descended on the National Trust's Coggeshall Grange Barn and Hatfield Forest in Essex as part of the 21st World Scout Jamboree.
The jamboree, held in the scout movement's 100th anniversary year, took place at nearby Hylands Park, Chelmsford, and work for the Trust included weaving willow hurdles which will remain permanently at Coggeshall, creating bird boxes and 'ride slashing' to clear almost one kilometre of pathways at Hatfield Forest.
The success of the events at the properties have led to proposals by the scout movement to adopt many of the group management techniques used at the next World Scout Jamboree in Sweden in 2011.
09.08.2007 - HMS Belfast needs names for its new ships' cats
Two cats which featured on BBC TV's Animal Rescue Live have found a new home aboard HMS Belfast, which is moored on the River Thames, and staff at the historic warship are asking the public to help find them new names.
The two new shipmates were rescued from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and people wanting to take part in the renaming competition can select from pairs of nautical names on the HMS Belfast website or when visiting the ship in London.
"The ship is no stranger to looking after cats," said HMS Belfast Director Brad King. "During her time at sea HMS Belfast would have been home to three cats all of which were an integral part of the crew."
"They played an important role onboard as rat-catchers and lucky mascots for superstitious sailors. We are delighted to play a part in restoring this naval tradition to the ship, and even more delighted to involve our visitors and supporters in naming our new recruits."
Image: a head and shoulders photograph of a soldier
08.08.2007 - First World War pension records go online
The pension records of almost one million soldiers who fought in the First World War are now available to search and download from Ancestry.co.uk
The collection (catalogue reference WO 364) comprises the records of many soldiers discharged because of illness or injury sustained during the War.
On average each record contains ten pages of information, although the records vary in detail. They offer the chance to find out a range of details including a physical description of the soldier, his date of birth, regimental number, service history, location served and any promotions. Further details such as previous occupation, next of kin and medical information relating to the soldier's pension may also be available in the records.
The online record is the result of a partnership project between Ancestry.co.uk and The National Archives. The remaining service records of soldiers who died or who survived the war (catalogue reference WO 363) will be available online by the end of 2008.
08.08.2007 - Foot and Mouth: business as usual says National Trust
Following last week’s discovery of foot and mouth disease on two sites near Guildford, Surrey, the National Trust has said it is monitoring developments closely and will be advised by government recommendations on the best way to deal with the current outbreak.
In the meantime it is urging visitors to freely visit all areas of the countryside normally open for access, with normal access to properties within the wider “controlled areas” surrounding the affected sites in Surrey.
A statement from the Trust read: "To date, no National Trust properties have had to close to visitors as a result of the outbreak and, in line with government advice, the Trust advises visitors to carry on with their visiting arrangements as usual."
As the situation develops, visitors are advised to check on the Defra website and the National Trust website for further information.
Image: a photograph of a couple in 1940s gear in a car
07.08.2007 - Crich Tramway Village prepares for war
Hundreds of re-enactors in WWII uniforms and 1940s clothing, together with their wartime vehicles, will be invading Crich Tramway Village on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 August for one of the attraction's biggest events of the year - the 1940s themed weekend.
Visitors can expect air-raid warnings and the sound of low flying aircraft. They will also need to beware the spivs selling black market goods and watch out for unexploded bombs and be ready to show their identity card or risk being arrested as a spy!
Wartime songs will be belted out by an authentic ENSA concert party throughout the weekend, whilst the Red Lion public house will be serving drinks and wartime styled meals.
“Visitors will feel as if they have stepped through a time portal back to the 1940s," said event organiser Christine Brown.
"It will be as historically authentic, with plenty of entertainment throughout the day to appeal to all the family. Children in particular will be fascinated to see this picture of life in wartime Britain. Anyone who gets into the spirit of the event by dressing in 1940s clothes will be rewarded with a special reduced entry price of only £6.”
On Saturday evening, August 11, the Tramway Village will be open until late. The Red Lion will be serving, the trams running and there’ll be an authentic ENSA concert and 1940s show.
07.08.2007 - Ironbridge extends its Archaeology Live digs
Ironbridge Archaeology are continuing their excavations in Ironbridge Gorge outside the Darby Furnace in Coalbrookedale and extending their Archaeology Live free dig on August 18 and 19.
Visitors can join in the dig between 10am and 4pm as the archaeologists attempt to uncover more of the wheel pit and out-buildings and open a new trench to explore the casting beds.
The furnace was the scene of experiments almost 300 years ago that revolutionised the iron industry.
Those taking part will be able to participate in the excavation work, help identify and reconstruct finds and learn more about the archaeological process.
07.08.2007 - Fakenham Bowmen return to Oxburgh Hall
Following on from its huge success last year, the Fakenham Bowmen return to Oxburgh Hall on the weekend of August 11 and 12 for a celebration of archery.
Members of the public will get the chance to try their hand at archery, using traditional bows and arrows and even learn how to make them. There will also be static displays about the sport together with an Olympic style archery tournament using modern bows.
Normal admission charges apply but there is an additional charge for participation.
Image: photo of a large whale skull
07.08.2007 - 22-foot sperm whale skull arrives at Natural History Museum
London's Natural History Museum has taken delivery of a 22-foot long sperm whale skull, the first donation of a complete skull of this species for 70 years.
It is from a whale that died in waters off the Norweigian coast in the 1930s and will be used for research to help scientists understand more about the species.
Weighing nearly a ton, staff at the museum spent three days getting the skull into position so it could be prepared for addition to the research collection.
07.08.2007 - Jenny Saville and John Carter become Royal Academians
Painter Jenny Saville and sculptor John Carter are the latest artists to have been elected as Royal Academians.
Saville was born in 1970 and is best known for her large-scale oil paintings of fleshy, obese female figures. Carter, born 1942, constructs abstract sculptures, mainly 'wall objects' with a mathematical basis.
The Royal Academy of Arts is governed by 80 Royal Academians (RAs) who are all practising painters, sculptors, engravers, printmakers, draughtsmen and architects. On reaching the age of 75 they become Senior Academians and so form vacancies for membership. New members are voted in by existing RAs.
Image: an image of a model dinosaur
06.08.2007 - Crystal Palace dinosaurs upgraded to Grade I listing
Culture Minister, Margaret Hodge, has upgraded the Victorian prehistoric animal sculptures in Crystal Palace Park from Grade II to Grade I, and has also amended the listing to include the geological strata and lead mine on the site.
The 1850s animal sculptures and surrounding landscape, known as the Dinosaur Court, were constructed in the grounds of the Crystal Palace after it was moved from The Great Exhibition in Hyde Park. The sculptures were listed Grade II in 1973.
The dinosaurs will now join the exclusive 2.5 per cent of list entries which are Grade I - which include the Royal Albert Hall, Buckingham Palace and the Cenotaph on Whitehall.
06.08.2007 - Scientific legacy saved by Wellcome Trust
The laboratory notebooks of double Nobel prize winner and eminent scientist, Fred Sanger, have been safeguarded thanks to the commitment of funding from the Wellcome Trust.
The notebooks form part of the Biochemical Society's Archive, which has recently received the 100th Wellcome Trust Research Resources in Medical History award to catalogue its materials to professional standards making them more widely available to the public and on the web.
An extremely important snapshot of science history, Sanger's laboratory notebooks from 1944-1981 provide a full record of his groundbreaking experiments of the sequencing and structure of proteins, noticeably insulin. This earned him his first Nobel prize in 1958, while work on the sequencing of nucleic acids earned him his second Nobel prize in 1980.
Sanger and his colleagues developed many of the techniques still used in genomic biology to this day. His research team produced the first DNA whole genome sequence, for a virus called 'phiX174' which grows in bacteria.
Dr Chris Kirk, the Chief Executive of the Biochemical Society said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this grant to fully catalogue and conserve the Society's archive, making it available through the Wellcome Library."
Image: black and white photo of a young woman dancing in the street
06.08.2007 - Tate Britain uses Flickr to find photos for exhibition
Tate Britain has selected 40 photos submitted to photo-sharing website Flickr to add to its exhibition How We Are: Photographing Britain.
The gallery invited amateur photographers to post their personal visions of Britain and its people in 2007 on the How We Are Now group set up by the venue on Flickr. Photos had to illustrate one of the four themes explored in the exhibition: portrait, landscape, still life or documentary.
A total of 3,330 people took part, submitting 7,876 photographs, and a panel of expert judges picked 10 from each category to join Tate's gallery exhibition, and will be on display until September 2 2007.
To have a look at the full selection of photos that were submitted go to the Flickr How We Are Now group.
06.08.2007 - Paisley Museum given massive collection of pots
Paisley Museum has been given a massive collection of British pottery by an American collector.
80-year-old Mitzi Bales, originally from Virginia USA, but now a British citizen, amassed her collection of UK studio pottery over a 20 year period. The collection, which is worth thousands of pounds, joins the museum's sizeable collection of ceramics including important pieces by Edmund de Waal.
E-news registration
E-mail story to a friend
Tell us what you think
Sheffield Metal Master Wins Museum's Inaugural Design Award
DCMS Launches Consultation Into The Future Of World Heritage Sites
Royal Society Announces Plans For 350th Anniversary
Art Website ArtisanCam Wins Children's BAFTA
Former Floorboards Of Founding Father Franklin Facilitate Funny Four
Mark Leckey Wins The 2008 Turner Prize And Scoops £25,000
Library Thief Update: Sentencing Adjourned Until January 16, 2009
Fund Aims To Realise Long-Standing Campaign For Cardiff City Museum
Culture Secretary Slaps Export Ban On George I Chandelier
Shakespeare's Globe Costumes Go On Show In Nottingham
Britglyph Art Campaign Uses Web To Make Mass Geoglyph
Inaugural Awards Ceremony Honours UK Arts Philanthropists
Rare Silver Cup Commemorating Coronation Of Charles II Is Saved For The Nation
London Fire Brigade Museum Escapes Closure - For Now
Another Busy Year For Archaeology On Orkney In 2008
Severndroog Castle To Be Restored Thanks To Lottery Grant
Campaign To Save Captain Scott's Hut Needs Another £65,000
Open Air Lab Project Launches At The Natural History Museum
Search this site
Home Page
News Page
Exhibition Page
What's On
Trails Page
Website of the Week
Letters Page
Welsh Home
Graphical Version
Copyright © 24 Hour Museum
Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.