- Free events take place at the pop-up museum and art gallery at Ankerside Shopping Centre.
- Visitors can discover original archive documents and photographs and explore objects from Tamworth’s past.
- A free clay workshop will also celebrate Tamworth’s proud ceramics history.
Tamworth Borough Council is inviting residents and visitors to discover more about the town’s history through two free events taking place as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days.
Taking place on Thursday 17 September and Saturday 19 September at the pop-up museum and art gallery in Ankerside Shopping Centre, the events will give visitors the opportunity to explore original material from the Tamworth Castle Museum Archives collection, meet museum staff and volunteers, and get creative with a free clay workshop inspired by Tamworth’s ceramic heritage.
The first event, Archives Access: Tamworth Castle Archives, takes place on Thursday 17 September, from 10am to 2pm. Visitors can see archive material that has recently come into the castle’s collections, including documents and photographs being made available to the public for the first time.
Tamworth Castle Museum staff and volunteers will be on hand to talk about the items on display, answer questions about Tamworth’s history and help visitors explore particular aspects of the town’s past. Where material is held in the archives, visitors can also arrange an appointment to view specific documents or photographs. More information can be found at: Archives Access: Tamworth Castle Archives
On Saturday 19 September, from 10am to 2pm, Dragon Designs: Clay Workshop will give visitors the chance to get creative with a free, drop-in clay activity inspired by the Victorian Gibbs & Canning dragon vase currently on display.
Local artist Emma Haywood-Curzon will lead short, approximately 30-minute sessions throughout the day, where visitors can create their own dragon-inspired clay keepsake to take home. No previous experience is needed, and the activity is suitable for adults and children aged six and over. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
The workshop will also explore the story of Gibbs & Canning, the historic Tamworth ceramics manufacturer, with original ceramic pieces, historic photographs and displays revealing more about the company's contribution to the town’s industrial and ceramic heritage. More information can be found at: Dragon Designs: Clay Workshop
Both events are free and no pre-booking is required.
The pop-up museum and art gallery opened in July as part of the Athelstan celebrations, following a partnership with St Editha’s Church. The gallery features a unique exhibition of artworks and objects from the Tamworth Castle Museum Archives collection.
The partnership has helped bring items from the castle museum’s collections into a town-centre setting, giving residents and visitors another opportunity to discover more about Tamworth’s history and heritage.
Councillor Lewis Smith, portfolio holder for people services, engagement, leisure and heritage for Tamworth Borough Council, said: “Heritage Open Days are a fantastic opportunity to discover more about the history on our doorstep, and these two events offer visitors the chance to experience Tamworth’s heritage in different ways.
“From exploring original archive material and talking to our knowledgeable staff and volunteers, to getting creative with clay and learning about Tamworth’s ceramics history, there is something for people of all ages to enjoy.
“It’s been great to work with St Editha’s Church to bring the pop-up museum and art gallery to the heart of the town at our Ankerside Shopping Centre. The exhibition provides another way for residents and visitors to explore items from our castle collections and discover the fascinating stories behind Tamworth’s past.”
The Heritage Open Days events offer a great opportunity to discover more about Tamworth’s fascinating history, explore items from the castle’s collections and experience local heritage in new and creative ways.