Spring 2013
Welcome to the Spring 2013 edition of the Preston Park Museum & Grounds What’s On guide. This year marks a special anniversary here for us at Preston Park, as we celebrate sixty years as a public museum and park. To mark the occasion we have an exciting range of activities throughout the site — from the ever popular ParkMade workshops, to new outdoor theatre productions and truly wacky kids’ activities. So why not come along to help us celebrate sixty years!
Exhibitions Temporary Exhibitions Gallery ParkMade Ends 17th March 2013 Celebrate traditional and heritage crafts at Preston Park Museum & Grounds through an exhibition exploring our popular ParkMade range. From the dynamic creations of our award winning blacksmiths, to unique woodturning from our own park timber, a host of objects display the stories of their craft.
Swill Baskets by Owen Jones, 2011.
Made with Pride Tuesday 2nd April - Sunday 30th June Made with Pride tells the story of furniture in Stockton. Visitors will have the opportunity to see objects from the quirky to the sublime including a chair with an inbuilt trouser press and furniture made for Queen Victoria!
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Community Curated To Have and To Hold Ends Sunday 31st March A truly ‘Brief Encounter’ exploring the history of courtship and marriage in Stockton. Curated by the Collections Volunteers.
Who are the Stockton Brethren? Tuesday 2nd April - Sunday 30th June Delve into one of Stockton’s oldest organisations to see how local gentlemen once kept up to date with scientific and social changes and entertained themselves in times gone by. Please contact the Collections Team on prestonhallmuseumcollections@stockton.gov.uk if your group is interested in being part of the Community Curated programme.
Billiard Room Open on selected days. Please call for details.
Preston Hall: Our Diamond Anniversary Ends Sunday 19th May 2013 Join us in celebrating our fascinating history in this exhibition spanning sixty years of Preston Park Museum & Grounds as a popular visitor destination.
Museums on the Move If you are interested in having one of our touring exhibitions at your venue please contact the Exhibitions Team on (01642) 527980 or email museumsonthemove@stockton.gov.uk 2
Events and Activities Traditional Craft Demonstrations: Swill Baskets Sunday 3rd March Free with normal admission, throughout the day. Owen Jones, Swill Basket Maker from the BBC’s popular Victorian Farm joins us at Preston Park to demonstrate his fascinating craft. Funded by The Tees Heritage Park Group.
Traidcraft BIG BREW Saturday 9th March • 10am - 12.30pm Free drop-in event, donations welcome to help raise money for Traidcraft. Join us for a cuppa and help support some of the world’s poorest people. Traidcraft BIG BREW events support smallholder farmers to grow more and provide enough food for their families and communities.
Know your Onions Saturday 9th March • 2pm - 3.30pm Free with normal admission; meet in Walled Kitchen Garden. Ever wondered where the expression ‘sound as a pound’ originated from? Visit our onion workshop to find out, along with lots of tips and advice from our gardener on how to grow all things allium.
Traditional Craft Demonstrations: Pottery Sunday 17th March Free with normal admission, throughout the day. Graham Taylor, traditional potter from Potted History joins us at the Museum with this fun and interactive demonstration. Funded by The Tees Heritage Park Group.
Biodynamic gardening fact or fiction Saturday 23rd March • 2pm - 3.30pm £10 per person, includes a Biodynamic Sowing and Planting Calendar to take away. Booking advised as spaces are limited. Man first started to grow crops 4000yrs ago, planting by the seasons and the phases of the moon. This workshop will explain some of the theory behind biodynamic principles and how to understand biodynamic calendars, which you can use to grow plants and crops in your own gardens and allotments. Please call the Main Reception for booking information: 01642 527375 3
Home Grown: Springtime Soup! Sunday 31st March • 11am - 3pm Free with normal admission, drop-in activity. Come along to sample the delights of spring from the restored Walled Kitchen Garden!
Traditional Craft Demonstrations: Basket weaving Saturday 6th April Free with normal admission, throughout the day. Pat Jorgensen the wonderful basket weaver is back to spread the weaving word to our visitors. Funded by The Tees Heritage Park Group.
Traditional Craft Demonstrations: Stone masonry Sunday 21st April Free with normal admission, throughout the day. Stonemason Keith Murray shows the skill and technique needed to carve this beautiful material. Why not have a go yourself! Funded by The Tees Heritage Park Group.
Urban container gardening Saturday 4th May • 1pm - 3pm Free with normal admission, meet in Walled kitchen Garden. Do you want to grow crunchy salads and vegetables but have little or no space to grow them? Join our gardener for an afternoon of practical demonstrations, tips and advice on alternative ways to grow fruit and vegetables.
Hanging Gardens Sunday 5th May • 1pm - 4pm £25 per person, incl light refreshments Booking essential as spaces are limited. Get to grips with making a traditional moss lined hanging basket filled full of plants to take away and give your garden that wow factor over the summer season. Also includes advice and tips on how to keep it blooming marvellous. Please call the Main Reception for booking information: 01642 527375
Traditional Craft Demonstrations: Wood Craft Saturday 18th May Free with normal admission, throughout the day. Rod Gray, local wood carver and pole lathe turner joins us in the Victorian Street to show how we used to make many of our everyday objects! Funded by The Tees Heritage Park Group.
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Back to Nature Sunday May 19th • 1pm - 3pm £10 per person Booking advised as spaces are limited. Join our gardener for an afternoon on how to make your garden more appealing to nature, with tips and advice on which plants to grow that will enhance the bio-diversity of your plot. We will round things off by constructing a bird box to take away and use Please call the Main Reception for booking information: 01642 527375
2013 Monday 27th May • 1pm - late Free with normal admission (some activities may have a small charge to take part). Our popular folk and dance festival is back, with a diverse selection of local and regional performers! Tin whistle and drum lessons available too! For information on children’s mini music lessons please visit www.stockton.gov.uk/events
Monday 27th May • 6.30pm - 10pm Tickets £8 per person. This year, as part of the annual Folk Festival, Preston Park Museum & Grounds plays host to an evening of unique and inspiring folk music events. Enjoy bespoke performances from a range of emerging contemporary folk acts; including Bridie Jackson & The Arbour, Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra, Sara Dennis & The Rivensmith and Ditte Elly. ‘Music in Museums’ is an Arts Council funded project, coordinated by Newcastle based band, Bridie Jackson & The Arbour Tickets available from the Museum’s main reception (Tues-Sun, 10am-4pm) please call 01642 527375 for more information.
Volunteering Opportunities Here at the Museum and Park we are always pleased to hear from people who would like to get involved in volunteering with us. We are currently keen to hear from anyone who is interested in Costumed Interpretation within the Victorian Street. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator on: 01642 526474 for more information. 5
Regular Activities Garden Tours Available for group bookings, throughout spring and summer 2013 £5 per person, incl entry to museum, garden tour and light refreshments. Enjoy a stroll through the beautiful restored Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden with our gardener as your guide. Booking essential, Please call the main reception for information on how to book: 01642 527375
Home Grown Join us in the Demonstration Kitchen for a delicious selection of food, home grown and freshly picked from the Walled Kitchen Garden ready for these seasonal cookery demonstrations and tastings. Winter One Pot Wonders • Sunday 24th February First Days of Spring • Sunday 31st March Foliage & Forage • Sunday 28th April Summer Salads • Sunday 26th May The Home Grown programme is free with normal admission between 11.00am — 3.00pm in the Traditional Kitchen located on the 1st Floor. Please see www.prestonparkmuseum.co.uk for more information.
Collections in Action Saturday 23rd February • Sunday 24th February Saturday 9th March • Sunday 10th March Free with normal admission, no booking required, open through normal opening hours. A fantastic opportunity to peek inside our purpose built collections store and meet a member of the Collections Team working on some our fascinating historical objects from the book, archive and ceramic collections! Please see www.prestonparkmuseum.co.uk for more information.
Making a Mess! Under 5s Club Tuesdays • 1pm - 3pm Join us each week for messy crafts, stories and play time based on a different theme around the Museum & Garden displays. Fruit and biscuits are available as well as tea and coffee for the grown ups! Please note: Making a Mess! is on every week except 26th March & 21st May. Contact the Learning Team on 01642 527820/8842 for more information. 6
Theatre in the Park 2013 Following the success of our open air theatre programmes over the last three years we are pleased to present two more wonderful and exciting productions! So bring your picnics and enjoy another leisurely evening in the relaxing surrounds of the Bandstand Garden.
BABE THE SHEEP-PIG by Dick King-Smith, adapted by David Wood. Thursday 25th July time 6pm Dick King-Smith's heart-warming tale of friendship, courage and determination is vividly brought to life by the same creative team behind Illyria's sensational record-breaking 2012 production of The Twits. Suitable for all ages 5+.
As You Like It by William Shakespeare Saturday 17th August 7.30pm As You Like It is, Shakespeare's ultimate romantic comedy. Its many pearls of wisdom, glittering repartee and gloriously happy ending make this only one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies. For authenticity the production is performed on a stage based on those used by 16th-century touring companies. For more information about the individual plays this year please visit our websites: www.prestonparkmuseum.co.uk or www.stockton.gov.uk/events
Theatre tickets on sale from April and available from: Stockton Visitor Information Centre: Rediscover Stockton, 134b High Street, Stockton Town Centre, TS18 1LP, 01642 528130 (payments can be made over the phone). Museum’s Gift Shop: (Tuesday-Sunday: 10am-4pm) 01642 527375. Online: www.stockton.gov.uk/events
Standard Tickets: Adults: £12, Concessions: £9 (NUS, Unwaged or over 60s), Children: £6 (5-16year olds) Under 5s: Free Group Tickets: Family Ticket (2 Adults + 2 Children): £30 10+ Adults booking together: £9pp 10+ Children booking together: £5pp
Please note: All children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the performance and we recommend a minimum of 2 adults per group of 10. Tickets are non refundable or exchangeable unless show is cancelled due to extreme weather conditions. 7
ParkMade Traditional Taster Days Try something new or rekindle an old hobby here at Preston Park in our ParkMade Taster Days! All classes are suitable for adults, no experience is necessary and everything including your lunch is provided (unless otherwise stated). Our taster days also make the perfect unique gift for someone special! Please contact the Learning Team for bookings and more information on (01642) 527820/528842. Additional dates are available, please ring to find out more or visit www.stockton.gov.uk/events
NEW! ParkMade: Pottery Workshop Saturday 6th April • Saturday 13th April • 10am - 12.30pm • 1.30pm - 4pm £20 includes refreshments, tools and materials Make your very own piece of local W.S & Co Pottery with potter Graham Taylor from Potted History. Through a project funded by the Arts Council England, the Museum has replicated original century old local pottery moulds for use today. Perhaps you’ll make your own piece to take home, originals of which can be seen out on display in the Museum!
Traditional Wood Carving Saturday 30th March • Saturday 8th June • 10am - 4pm • £35 Create a unique hand carved piece such as a spoon or butter knife. A complete start to finish experience from splitting logs to designing and producing the finished item to take away on the day.
NEW! Codes and Corsages Saturday 20th April • 1pm - 3.30pm • £10 (includes light refreshments) Join our gardener in exploring the secret meanings of Victorian flower adornment, and get involved in creating a bespoke seasonal buttonhole, perfect for weddings and celebrations.
Hand Stitched Patchwork and Quilting Saturday 27th April • 10am - 4pm • £30 Learn how to make beautiful hand patchwork and quilting with our talented local tutor Lone Helliwell.
Rag Rug Making Friday 3rd May • 10am - 3pm • £20 Design and make your own mini rag rug to take away with you on the day. Learn about recycling old fabrics and the history of the sociable craft of rag rug making!
Traditional Demonstrations: Rag Rug Making Thursday 4th April • Free with normal admission, throughout the day. Elaine Ord joins us in the Victorian Street to demonstrate this fascinating and practical craft of proggy rag rugs — you might even discover ways to recycle some old materials!
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Traditional Demonstrations: Stained Glass Thursday 11th April • Free with normal admission, throughout the day. Simon Fitton, local heritage glass restorer and artist, joins us at the Museum to showcase this beautiful and intricate craft. Funded by The Tees Heritage Park Group.
Blacksmithing Saturday 18th May • Saturday 22nd June • 10.00am - 4.00pm • £80 Learn about the history of the craft and make a pair of beautiful handcrafted candlesticks to take away with you on the day!
Stained Glass Saturday 13th July • 10.00am - 4.00pm • £60 An exciting opportunity to work with a professional glass worker to produce a beautiful glass panel to take away with you on the day!
Seasonal Basketry: Willow Weaving Saturday 16th March • 10.00am - 4.00pm • £30 Relaxing workshop creating your own baskets to take away with you ready for spring time garden decorations and displays. Perfect also as a gift for Mother’s Day!
CREATIVE KIDS Holiday Activity Programme Activities are free with normal admission (unless otherwise stated), however there is a 50p per child suggested donation to help with material costs. Please note: Our children’s workshops are suitable for ages 5+ (unless otherwise stated); younger children are welcome however they will need some help from their adult during the workshop. Children must be accompanied by an adult during their visit and activities. Please be aware that for drop-in workshops, when the session is full, tickets will be issued for the later slots. Call the Learning Team on (01642) 528842/527820 for group bookings.
Children’s Pottery Workshop Saturday 23rd February Thursday 4th April Workshop times: 10am - 11.30am & 1pm - 2.30pm £5 per child, includes all tools and materials. A unique opportunity for children to make their own W.S & Co Pottery with the fantastic potter Graham of Potted
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History! Through an exciting project funded by the Arts Council the Museum has replicated original local pottery moulds, to enable us to make pottery based on moulds over 100 years old which children will be using on the day. Booking essential, suitable for 8 years+ please call the Learning Team on 01642 527820/528842.
Arts & Crafts Workshop Times: 10.30am - 11.30am (organised groups, booking required) 11.30am - 12.30pm (Families, drop-in) 1.30pm – 2.30pm (Families, drop-in) 2.30pm – 3.30pm (Families, drop-in)
Easter Holiday Create Edible Easter Baskets Wednesday 3rd April Children will make and decorate their own Easter treat to take away with them, although they probably won’t last very long!
Make Springtime Spoon Puppets! Friday 5th April Make a little friend for your garden or new toy to play with in this arts and craft workshop. There’s a selection of animals to choose from or you can make your own up!
Make Pinecone Gnomes Wednesday 10th April Perfect for the looking after the garden or to play hide and seek with, these little gnomes have lots of character — all you have to do is think of a good name!
Go Hopping Mad! Friday 12th April Hope into spring with this fun arts and craft workshop. Make your own bouncy bunny, chick or lamb and see who can get theirs to jump the highest!
Make Felted Creatures Wednesday 29th May Sew and decorate your own little soft toy out of felt in this arts and craft activity. Please note that this activity might be tricky for very young children and they
may need a little more help. During this workshop we will use pre-punched felt with safety plastic needles.
Create Candles! Friday 31st May Candles were important in the old days before we had light bulbs, so why not have a go at making your own! Special mouldable cold wax is used — suitable for children. Activities are free with normal admission (unless otherwise stated), however there is a 50p per child suggested donation to help with material costs.
Arts & Crafts Workshop Times: 10.30am - 11.30am (organised groups, booking required) 11.30am - 12.30pm (Families, drop-in) 1.30pm – 2.30pm (Families, drop-in) 2.30pm – 3.30pm (Families, drop-in)
Making MORE Mess! Under 5s Club Tuesday 2nd April, Tuesday 9th April, Tuesday 28th May • 1pm - 3pm Each week there will be a messy craft, story and play time based on a different theme around the new Museum & Garden displays. Please note: Drop in activity, free with normal admission, suggested donation of 50p per child to help cover materials. Making MORE Mess! is suitable or under 5s although older brothers and sisters are welcome during the holidays. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For more information please contact the Learning Team on 01642 527820.
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How to find us Travel information For information about local public transport links, please contact: Stockton Tourist Information Centre (01642) 528130 or Traveline North East on 0871 200 2233.
On your bike
Museum Open Tuesday to Sunday • 10.00am — 4.00pm Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays • Last admission 3.30pm
Entry Price: Adult £2, Concession/Child £1, Family Ticket £4 (2A+4C) All tickets are valid for multiple visits for one year from date of issue.
Learning Team: for all ParkMade Taster Day bookings and enquiries call (01642) 527820/528842
Contact Us:
Butterfly World Tel: (01642) 791414 Web: www.butterflyworldltd.com Teesside Small Gauge Railway Tel: (01642) 582903
Preston Park Museum & Grounds, Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 3RH Tel: (01642) 527375 Email: prestonhall@stockton.gov.uk Web: www.prestonparkmuseum.co.uk or www.stockton.gov.uk/events
Also at Preston Park
Please note: Preston Park Museum & Grounds operates a No Smoking Policy
Images courtesy of Dave Hudspeth, Tom Kirby and Stockton Museum’s Service dns1460
Designated cycle parking facilities are available in the car park, close to the café (bikes left at owners’ risk).