Celebrating 5 years - October 17th 2011
The phrase “Time flies when you’re enjoying yourself” has never been truer than for staff and visitors to Woodhorn – the museum and archives just outside Ashington.
It’s hard to believe, but at the end of this month Woodhorn will be celebrating five years since its £16million redevelopment and re-launch. The anniversary is being marked by a week-long celebration coinciding with October half term and featuring lots of family fun and a great history fair, so perhaps now is a good time to take a quick look back.
Close to half a million visitors have passed through the doors of the attraction to see dozens of temporary exhibitions from local arts and crafts to computer games, and from famous cars to mining art. Some visitors have travelled many miles especially to see the amazing permanent collection of work by the Ashington Group more popularly known now as the Pitmen Painters following the huge success of the Lee Hall play by the same name. The same art collection has secured television coverage in the UK with Robson Green, Melvyn Bragg and others, and Woodhorn has even made US TV.
There have been over 50,000 visits to the Study Centre with people enjoying the excellent research facilities and the millions of records in the public archives to trace family histories, explore land developments, and even investigate property. Staff have dealt with over 220,000 requests for documents – not far short of one for every minute the centre has been open and double the number in the years preceding the developments. The archives too have had television coverage from Restoration Home and Heir Hunters to Who Do You Think You Are with Kate Humble.
Dozens of schools from across the region have added Woodhorn to their list of places to go with tens of thousands of youngsters participating in organised workshops looking at mining history, art, film, even the Tudors.
Woodhorn has been fortunate to secure external funding from a variety of sources to enable staff to deliver extra project work too. In the archives staff and volunteers have been able to investigate, catalogue and make accessible special collections of documents for the first time. They have undertaken many activities out in the communities too around Northumberland with folks of all ages. One major project currently underway and working purely with young people is part of NE-Generation and funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to create a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across the UK. You may remember 1840s Heritage Big Brother when a group submersed themselves in the past for a week.
One major change that has taken place was the setting up of Woodhorn as an independent charitable trust. Subsequently Berwick Museums and Art Gallery, Hexham Old Gaol and Morpeth Bagpipe Museum became part of the trust too.
“It’s been a busy 5 years, but extremely rewarding for everyone involved,” explained Director Keith Merrin. “I am very proud of what we have achieved and of course, we are all looking forward to the next five and beyond.”
“We are very much looking forward to half term too when we have a full programme of activities; something for the whole family. We’d love to see as many of our regular visitors as well as new ones come along and join the celebrations.”
Monday 24th October
Northumberland History Fair 11 - 4
Celebrate the rich and diverse heritage of the region at the Northumberland History Fair. Come along to learn more about local history and to meet some of the organisations who explore and preserve it.
Reel Northumberland 12 – 2
As part of the BBC series Reel History hosted by Melvin Bragg, broadcast in autumn showcasing archive film from across the UK, Woodhorn invites you to take a journey into the past with Northumberland Archives and Time Travel Northumberland film showcase.
The showcase will include films from 1920s, 30s, 40s and 50s film selected by young people from Woodhorn's collections. Guest speakers will give insight in to the content of the films. Come along to see if you can spot yourself or any familiar faces.
Wednesday 26th October
Birds of Prey Display 11 – 3
See beautiful birds of prey on display and catch one of the spectacular flying displays by the team at Ridgeside Falconry.
Friday 28th October
5th Birthday and The Big Draw
Come along on this anniversary day to see our specially commissioned 'Cutter Building' birthday cake and join in the creation of a giant artwork with the Big Draw! We also have a presentation celebrating the last 5 years of activity showing in the historic Pick-Sharpeners building.
Sunday 30th October
Spooky Halloween Tours
Unique spooky tours of the Woodhorn site, only available for Halloween! Hear about ghostly goings-on in the atmospheric and historic colliery buildings.
Places are limited on these tours so please call to book your place and avoid disappointment. Tours available at 12noon and 2pm.
Adult £2.95, Children £1.95, Family Ticket (2 Adults + 2 Children) £9.00
Every day from 22nd - 30th October
Halloween Bug Crafts 12 – 3
Get crafty during your visit to Woodhorn with our creepy crawly Halloween Bug craft! 50p per bug.
Pumpkin Trail
Explore Woodhorn's historic colliery buildings to find the hidden pumpkins and complete the special trail! Take your completed trail sheet back to the Welcome Desk to receive a spooky treat!