Major Events Programme for 2010

‘A Night in the Museum’ is an event to launch ‘Around the World in 100 Objects’, a collaboration between the BBC Radio Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire Museums at the instigation of the British Museum. As part of a nation-wide exercise, 100 heritage objects have been chosen by curators from all over England that tell compelling stories with both a local and a global dimension. 

Gloucestershire was allocated 10 objects from the 100.   These were chosen by Andrew Fox, Museums Service Manager, Gloucester City Council and Mark Hurrell for BBC Radio Gloucestershire. 

The event will consist of talks, film shows and re-enactments thematically based upon the ten objects chosen for Gloucestershire. This is being organised by Vernon Harwood for the BBC and Andrew Fox for Gloucester City Council. 

A Night in the Museum - What's on?

Join us for history, mystery and fun!

Spend A Night In The Museum - and see the exhibits come to life

We're turning history on its head when Gloucester City Museum presents walking, talking exhibits to celebrate our local heritage on Wednesday 17th February (3pm - 8pm).

'A Night In The Museum' will see historical figures and re-enactors roaming the building and talking to the visitors. There are also free films, talks, music and lots of children's activities. Gloucester Museums Service Manager, Andrew Fox said: "We're transforming the Museum and reflecting the last 2,000 years, it's a phenomenal range of history".

Re-enactors bringing local history to life include;

• Lucius the Roman
• Cuda the Celtic Princess
• Gloucester Victorian Family
• Mediaeval townsfolk
• A Cotswold wool spinner
• Bill the Wartime Air Raid Warden

One highlight will be a special display celebrating Frank Whittle and the Gloster Aircraft Company. On show will be part of the first British jet aircraft, the E28/39, which took to the air in Brockworth in April 1941. Jet Age Museum Trustee Tim Kershaw said: "The spare front wheel is very special and the only part of the historic plane still in Gloucestershire".  

Amongst the special guests will be Bob Woodward who spent a decade painstakingly recreating the world-famous Woodchester Orpheus Pavement. He'll be answering questions about the Roman mosaic and exhibiting memorabilia from the replica he constructed with his brother, John.

Local folk band Puzzlejug will be entertaining visitors for part of the afternoon.

A selection of rare archive films will show bygone views of Wotton-under-Edge, Woodchester, Stroud, Cirencester, Berkeley and Gloucester. In one vintage clip from 1987, Angela Rippon is seen reporting for BBC TV from the City Museum.

'A Night In The Museum' is on Wednesday 17th February 2010 (3pm - 8pm) at Gloucester City Museum, Brunswick Road, Gloucester GL1 1HP. Admission is free.

Draft Talks Schedule - 17th February

3.30pm: The Birdlip Mirror & The Jenner Cow Horn - Andrew Fox & David Rice

3.50pm: Whittle & the Gloster Aircraft Co. - John Lewer/ Tim Kershaw/ Nicholas Jones ??

4.10pm: The Glorious Glosters & The Carne Cross - George Streatfield

4.30pm: The Lawnmower & Erinoid Plastic - Dave Mullin

4.50pm: TBC

5.10pm: Robert Mushet; Coleford's Man of Steel - Ian Standing

5.30pm: The Birdlip Mirror & The Jenner Cow Horn - Andrew Fox & David Rice

5.50pm: Whittle & the Gloster Aircraft Co. - John Lewer/ Tim Kershaw/ Nicholas Jones ??

6.10pm: The BBC 'Day Out' films - David Bailey

6.30pm: TBC

6.50pm: The Glorious Glosters & The Carne Cross - George Streatfield

7.10pm: The Lawnmower & Erinoid Plastic - Dave Mullin