News Exhibitions Events
Exploring Our Heritage
April April -- September September 2015 2015
Wrexham Heritage Service
@Trustees of the
British Muse
um
Writing for Eternity: Decoding Ancient Egypt
02 Wrexham Heritage Service
Hard Times Welsh Local Authorities are faced with an unprecedented financial crisis, with swinging cuts being made or contemplated to many a beloved local service. Inevitably it is the so-called discretionary services that will bear the brunt of the cuts, although even statutory services are not immune from significant trimming. In 2015 the Heritage Service will see a roughly 10% reduction in its budget resulting in the closure of Bersham Heritage Centre and the relocation there of our large object store from Llay. However this is very unlikely to be the end of the matter. Keen to prevent further significant reductions in the level of the service over the coming years, the Heritage Service is investigating whether the service should ‘spin out’ from local authority control and become an employee owned so-called ‘mutual’ service. A mutual is a form of co-operative where the staff and potentially the community itself have a stake in running and developing the service in the future.
Windows On
Worl
Engagement with heritage has become a powerful credo among the heritage community over recent years and it seems to us that this co-operative model, where interested members of the public through a membership scheme have a direct stake in the delivery of the service, would create a powerful driver to make that engagement a reality. We don’t know whether this dream will become a reality, and there are few examples elsewhere in the UK to guide us, but the staff of the Heritage Service believes that it is worth a go. So over the next few months we will be carrying out a number of studies and consultations to see whether the idea will work, if all goes well the new organisation will be launched in the Spring of 2016, so watch this space! Follow us:
@Trustees of the British Museum
@Trustees of the British Museum
ld
Treasures from the World’s Greatest Civilisations in Wrexham
Wrexham County Borough Museum and the British Museum have joined forces to bring the British Museum’s fantastic collections to north-east Wales. From this summer Wrexham Museum will host a series of Window On The World exhibitions which will explore aspects of the world’s greatest ancient civilisations through the British Museum’s unmatched collections. The first exhibition, Writing for Eternity: Decoding Ancient Egypt, which goes on show in Gallery 3 in June, will be about ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and will include a number of objects from the British Museum’s Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan such as sculpture, jewellery, pottery and funerary artefacts; all chosen to tell the story of the development and use of this ancient language. Look out for news of our Ancient Egypt-themed, dropin children’s activities and a sleepover! For more information, call the museum on 01978 297 460 or follow the museum on facebook.com/Wrexham Museums
@Ymddiriedolwyr yr Amgueddfa Brydeinig @Trustees of the British Museum
The Ceiriog Memorial Institute Opened in May 1911, the Ceiriog Memorial Institute in Glyn Ceiriog was founded by Sir Alfred T Davies and erected by public subscriptions as a lasting memorial to the famous Welsh poet John ‘Ceiriog’ Hughes, and other notable Welshmen connected with the district. Situated on the village High Street, the Institute forms the heart of the community, holding meetings, concerts, choir rehearsals, debates and social functions, as well as containing a fascinating museum - recently refurbished displaying many unique exhibits relating to the Ceiriog Valley and beyond, including;n n
A collection of the poet Ceiriogs work A treasured collection of stained glass windows depicting characters from Welsh history n Portraits and sculptures of local interest (including the Myddletons of Chirk Castle) n A quarter-size copy of a St David of Wales mosaic (the original is in the Houses of Parliament) n Large collection of objects relating to the Industrial Heritage of the valley (including the Glyn Valley Tramway) n A variety of Eisteddfod Chairs n Bookcases donated by the Welsh communities in Patagonia n Display of the 2011 Centenary celebrations (presided over by Huw Edwards of the BBC). As a testament to traditional Welsh values and heritage there is no better example throughout the land. To quote no less a figure than Lloyd George ‘’It is true to say that not a little of the history of Wales is enshrined in the memorials, which with praiseworthy zeal and rare discrimination, have been gathered in this Village Institute - the best of its kind that I know anywhere.’’ This is seconded by Jan Morris in her book ‘The Matter of Wales’ where in describing the fabric of Welsh institutions, it comes to the fore...’’ it stands there still, and remains in an almost fossilized way a very repository of Welsh chapel and liberal values... full of literary and religious mementoes... the whole maintained with loving diligence... and some essence of confident piety no longer readily available.’’ The Committee - all volunteers - would welcome visitors at any time by prior arrangement, and during the scheduled opening hours every Saturday in July and August (also during CADW’s Open Doors programme). Please contact 01691 718 768 or 01978 869 525 to arrange a visit and guided tour. Combine your visit with a trip to Chirk Castle or stay awhile and explore the beautiful scenery of the Ceiriog Valley. For further information call at the local Tourist Information Points in Glyn Ceiriog and Pontfadog Post Offices, or visit www.chirkandtheceiriogvalley.co.uk
Wrexham Heritage Service
The
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04 Wrexham Heritage Service
Who Do They Think They Were?
Q
What do the following famous people have in common?
*Robert Waithman, Ray Milland, Stan Boardman, Dennis Taylor, Bill Roache, Rosemarie Frankland, Tom Pryce, Andy Scott, John Parry Thomas, Sir Frederick Rosier, H.G. Wells, Edwin Hughes, Joseph Blythen and John Crowe.
A
They have all spent part of their lives in the Wrexham area, with most having been born here.
But you don’t have to be famous (or infamous) for the Archives and Local Studies Service to have information about you, your family, your friends or your ancestors. With access to local records including birth, marriage and death indexes, census
returns, church records; electoral registers; newspapers; maps, photographs and much more, we can give you whatever help you need to find out about who and where your genes might have come from. You might also like to try and find out who else has lived in your home, your street, your village, your town. Discover how life was changed in your community by local tragedies such as the Gresford Colliery disaster or the global upheavals
of two World Wars, or the impact of new houses, roads, shops and factories and the loss of traditional heavy industries. What will YOU unearth ? For more information, call the Archives and Local Studies Service on 01978 297 480, email archives@wrexham.gov.uk, or visit www.wrexham.gov.uk/archives
*Lord Mayor of London, Hollywood actor, comedian, world snooker champion, Corrie actor, Miss World, Formula 1 racing driver, glam rock musician, world land speed record holder, Air Chief Marshall and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Allied Air Forces Central Europe, science fiction author, the last survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade, Cilla Black’s granddad and Russell Crowe’s granddad.
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Wrexham has a great tradition of brewing, beer was its chief export and it was home to the U K ‘s first brewery. By the 1860’s there were 19 breweries in the town. The most famous became Wrexham Lager which was founded in 1882. Discover and enjoy some of our Brewing Heritage at WREXHAM BREWING PAST AND PRESENT on Saturday 12th September, 11am-4pm FREE ENTRY Featuring Wrexham Lager and local small independent breweries there will be demonstrations, talks on the history of brewing , and a chance to have a look at some historic brewing records and artefacts from the museum collection. Watch as one of the last remaining Coopers in the country makes barrels as part of the old fashioned trade of Coopering and demonstrates the art of brewing ! Sample some of Wrexham’s very best lager and ales and enjoy some traditional pies and snacks.
Friends of Wrexham Museums Speaker Programme All meetings are held in the Education Room, Wrexham Museum, commencing at 7pm. Non-members £3. www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/ heritage/friends
21/04/2015 Talk: Digging Up The Past: Recent Archaeological Excavations in the Area Speaker: Fiona Gale 19/05/2015 Talk: “The Pen Boys” the Penmaenmawr Volunteers 1914-18 Speaker: Anne Pedley 16/06/2015 Talk: Recent Research on Holt Castle Speaker: Steve Grenter 15/09/2015 Talk: AGM plus Tour of Old Wrexham-Series 4 Speaker: Alister Williams 20/10/2015 Talk: The Story of Gladstone Library Speaker: Gary Butler
Wrexham Heritage Service
Wrexham Brewing Past and Present
06 Wrexham Heritage Service
Until 04/07/2015
Museum
Real and Imagined: Castles in the Welsh Landscape This exhibition highlights the real and imagined castles of Wales through the collections of the National Library of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru National Museum Wales. It’s a great opportunity to see works by some of Britain’s greatest artists, J M W Turner, Kyffin Williams and Paul Sandby. Free
20/06/2015 - 05/09/2015
From 12/09/2015
Museum
People and Places - The Royal Welch Fusiliers
Writing for Eternity: Decoding Ancient Egypt A special exhibition developed in partnership with the Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan at the British Museum. For more news of this exciting exhibition about hieroglyphics and life in Ancient Egypt follow Wrexham Museums on facebook or join our e-mailing list. Free
Museum
Explore the eventful history of the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the regiment’s links to Wrexham in a special display in the main gallery. Look out for some wonderful objects never before on public show. Free
© The National Library of Wales
@Trustees of the British Museum
21/09/2015 - 31/10/2015
Hidden Not Heard Until 20/05/2015
Museum
Wedding Bells: How Wrexham Celebrates the ‘Big Day’ Tying the knot, getting hitched. There are as many ways to describe ‘the big day’ as societies have devised to celebrate the public commitment of two people who are in love. The exhibition reveals the many ways people locally, past and present, have celebrated their wedding day. Free
20/07/2015 - 09/01/2016
Wales, Industry & the First World War Museum Discover how Welsh industry powered Britain, alongside its allies, to victory in the First World War, with a focus on the steel, coal, wool and munitions industries. Free © Wrexham County Borough Museum & Archives
Bersham Ironworks Guided Tours: Made famous by John ‘Iron Mad’ Wilkinson, a leading figure in the Industrial Revolution, the once noisy Bersham Ironworks now nestles quietly in the attractive Clywedog Valley, two miles outside Wrexham in north-east Wales. n FREE
n Tours start at Bersham Ironworks
l Wednesday 29th July l 10.30am - 12noon l Wednesday 26th August l 1.30pm - 3pm l Wednesday 23rd September l 10.30am - 12noon
Museum
A national touring exhibition about the lives of people with learning disabilities since the 19th century and a chance to listen to those who lived and worked in a secret world - the long stay hospital. The exhibition will include stories from people connected with the former long stay hospital at Denbigh. Free
Call 01978 297 460 for tour and time updates. Pre-booking not required.
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Museum
02/08/2015
11am - 4pm
11am - 4pm
Wrexham Heritage Fair
History Alive! featuring Bersham Veteran & Vintage Vehicle Rally
One jam-packed day of history, featuring exhibitions & activities by local heritage groups, heroic living history re-enactments, stimulating talks and tours, musical interludes, plus activities especially for the little ones. For full programme details see www.wrexhamstory.co.uk Wrexham Heritage Forum
Bersham Iron Works
Enjoy the spectacle of Wrexham’s only annual living history festival. Soldiers of the Union and the Confederacy will bring the American Civil War to life to mark 150th anniversary of the surrender of General Lee’s Confederate Army to General Grant.
23/07/2015 30/07/2015 06/08/2015 13/08/2015 20/08/2015 27/08/2015
Museum
1 - 4pm
Design a Hieroglyph Combining the skill of an Egyptian scribe with the artistry of JC Edwards, design your own hieroglyph and paint Free it on a tile to take home.
Admission: Adults £5, Concessions £4 and Children £1.
Free
28/08/2015
Museum
Egyptian Sleepover Photos from previous History Alive events.
Join us at the museum for an activity packed evening and sleepover. Suitable for families with children aged 7-11 years. £10 per child, £5 per adult including breakfast.
Please book by 14/08/2015.
Bryn’s Buddies Wrexham Museum’s history club for children aged 7 - 11 years. Each session we travel back in time to discover and explore. n £3 per child. n 11am - 4pm n Booking one month in
advance essential.
l 09/05/2015 - Celebrate VE Day l 05/09/2015 - Write like
an Egyptian
Wrexham Heritage Service
04/07/2015
08 Wrexham Heritage Service
12/09/2015
Museum
25/09/2015
Museum
26/09/2014
Minera Lead Mines
10.30am - 3pm
10am - 2pm
11am - 3pm
Wrexham Brewing Past and Present
Open Collections
Minera Lead Mines
Come along to our special Open Doors event where you will have the opportunity to see and get up close to items from the Archive and Museum’s stores. Archive and Museum staff will be at hand to explain more about these interesting items and answer any questions you may have.
Discover the story of the lead miners of Minera. Guided tour of the archaeological remains at 11.30am and 1pm.
Discover and enjoy some of our Brewing Heritage. Featuring Wrexham Lager and local small independent breweries there will be demonstrations, talks on the history of brewing , and a chance to have a look at some historic brewing records and artefacts from the museum collection. Free
Free
Free
Wrexham County Borough Museum & Archives Regent Street. Wrexham. L11 1RB
Museum Opening Times: Monday - Fridays: 10am - 5pm Saturday: 11am - 4pm Archives and Local Studies Opening Times: Monday; Wednesday to Friday (10am - 5pm) Last Saturday in each month 11am - 4pm
Free
Admis
sion
Please scan the QR code for more information:
% 01978 297 460 Follow us:
www.wrexham.gov.uk/heritage
Museum & Archives: Last admission: 30 minutes before closing. Closed Bank Holidays and Sundays.