Corinium Museum

Corinium Museum Events

Uncover The Past At Two-Month Corinium Museum Show
9th May 2008

Leaving no stone unturned in Cirencester’s archaeological past is the theme behind a two month exhibition which will open at the Corinium Museum in August.

The ‘Digging the Dirt’ exhibition will tell the tale of the town’s past as it celebrates the archaeological exploration which took place across Cirencester in the latter half of the 20th century.

The event – which starts on August 9th and continues until September 21st – is being held to celebrate 50 years of the Cirencester Excavation Committee, a group which was formed in 1958 to conduct archaeological digs in the town.

It was through the work of the CEC that the famous Hare mosaic was uncovered at the Beeches in 1971, and the exhibition itself will feature objects and archives from the excavations, as well as townspeople’s memories of the digs and the roles they played in them.

There will be old photographs on show for visitors and the chance to trade tales from the time, while you will also be able to learn more about the Corinium Museum and the role of archaeologists in the 21st Century.

The Corinium Museum’s Archaeological Officer Dr Alison Brookes said: “This exhibition will not only showcase the objects discovered during the excavations, it will also feature the individuals who were involved. I am keen to hear from as many people as possible who remember the summer digs taking place during the 1960s and 1970s. If you would like to share your stories please drop into the museum on July 12th and help us record this important part of the town’s heritage.”

In conjunction with the Digging the Dirt exhibition, the Corinium museum will be hosting a series of events over the summer to celebrate the rich archaeological heritage of Cirencester.

These will start on July 12th with ‘Archaeological Reminiscences of Cirencester’ (11am-3pm), drop into the museum and record your memories of the digs in the town with Museum staff. Did you take part in the numerous archaeological digs in the town? Can you spot yourself in a photograph? If you were involved in the excavations, as an archaeologist, volunteer or remember just passing by, we’d love to hear from you to document your memories and photographs. A special admission rate of £1 applies on the day.

Following this is a family workshop ‘What is Museum Archaeology?’ which is being hosted on July 20th and serves as an introduction to museum archaeology in a fun, hands-on way. Booking is essential, normal admission charges apply.

Please contact the Corinium Museum on 01285 655611 for further details of any of the summer events, or email the venue on museums@cotswold.go.uk

Textile Artists To Visit Corinium Museum
Colourful and varied textiles through time will be the subject of an exhibition that is coming to the Corinium Museum in Cirencester next month (June 2008).

Time Present and Time Past is the subject of the two-month long display by the Rubicon Textiles Artists Group, which will run at the Park Street venue from June 3rd to July 30th.

The exhibition will focus on the wide range of colourful and experimental fabrics that the group of nine artists create, and this show draws inspiration from the fascinating collection of artefacts already at the Museum.

From stitch and paint work with a range of different fabrics, the Rubicon group – whose members also do their own individual pieces – have produced an interesting and varied body of work.

The Rubicon Textiles Artists Group was formed in 1999 and has been exhibiting regularly since, including shows at the National Arboretum at Westonbirt and the Nature in Art Museum in Gloucestershire.

Exhibition entry is included in admission or £1 for exhibition entry only. It is free to annual season ticket holders and Friends of the Corinium Museum. Opening hours are Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sundays, 2-5pm.

New Museum Officer To Take History To The Masses

13th June 2008

A fresh new face with big ideas and ambitions has appeared at the Corinium Museum – with the arrival of new Outreach Officer, Emma Stuart.

Emma – who has previously worked for Chester City Council – has already settled well into her new role with the team at the museum in Park Street, Cirencester.

She will be responsible for reaching out and raising the profile of the museum to the wider community, while also organising talks and lectures on museum and heritage topics at CDC venues across the Cotswolds.

She will also liaise with schools and hold teaching sessions with small groups that come to visit the Museum.

And Emma, who is originally from Chester, is well suited to the role, with a degree in Theology and World Religions from Manchester University, as well as a Masters in Landscape History from Chester College. She also has a second Masters, in Museum Studies, at Leicester University.

She also helped to compile a publication on Chester during the Second World War, where she edited memorabilia including photos, documents and historic memories for the City Council’s heritage service.

Emma, who is keen on art and crafts, history, heritage and the hit folklore trilogy Lord of the Rings, explained what she believes she can achieve in her time at the Museum.

“What I’m hoping to do is to make a difference, no matter how small, in the way people perceive museums and their own history, heritage and culture,” she said.

“It’s important to make people value their heritage, and nowadays, a lot of people do not feel it relates to them or is tangible to them.

“That will be one of my major tasks, helping people to realise where they fit into the bigger picture and how I can go about improving their quality of life.

“At the Corinium Museum, we have a superb resource to hand in terms of the collections, and a fantastic team of staff with a huge knowledge base.”

Corinium Museum's Joy As Going For Gold Appeal Hits Target

29th January 2007

A £20,000 campaign to keep a rare hoard of 3,000-year-old gold in the Cotswolds has reached its target, the Corinium Museum revealed today.

The Going For Gold appeal was launched last October by the Cotswold District Council-owned museum – and staff were amazed by the response.

Public donations of £3,000 rolled in over just three months, enabling the museum to secure £17,000 worth of grant money form the MLA/V&A Purchase Fund, the Headley Trust, and the National Art Fund.

The Bronze Age hoard, which was unearthed by a metal detector enthusiast on land near Poulton in 2004, will be collected from the British Museum early next month.

It will then undergo conservation, before going on temporary display at the Corinium Museum, Cirencester, this Spring. In September, it will go on permanent display in the museum’s Prehistory Gallery in a new case, which is being specially made.

The 59 pieces of gold were declared treasure last year by the coroner and the proceeds of the sale will be split between the landowner and the finder.

The hoard, which is thought be dated between 1300 and 1150 BC, is the only such Bronze Age gold collection to be found in the Cotswolds. It consists of chopped items and fragments of gold, which are thought to have been buried by their owner – either to use again or as an offering of thanks to the gods.

Analysis of the hoard suggests that objects include fragments of jewellery, sheet gold-work and the tip of a bronze spearhead. It also contained bronze tools, which link the find to a goldsmith working in the Cotswolds more then 3,000 years ago.

Cotswold District Council’s Portfolio holder for Leisure and Cultural Services, Cllr David Fowles, said: “We are thrilled with the success of the appeal, which has enabled us to buy the only known collection of Bronze Age gold-work from the Cotswolds.

“We’d like to thank everyone who donated money and hope they will come to see the hoard in its new home.”

The Council’s Curator of Museums, John Paddock, said: “It is very exciting to know that this important find will be coming to the Corinium Museum soon.

“Local donations were key to securing the grant funding – we couldn’t have done it without the support of residents and visitors to the museum.”

Corinium Museum News - Archive

18th December 2006

Corinium Museum "Going For Gold" Appeal Nears £20,000 Target

A £20,000 campaign to keep a rare hoard of 3,000-year-old gold in the Cotswolds has received a double helping of good news this week.

The appeal, launched by Cirencester’s Corinium Museum, has been awarded £6,000 by the Headley Trust and £5,000 by The Arts Fund.

The grants come hot on the heels of a recent £6,000 award from the Museums Libraries Archive/VandA Purchase Grant Fund towards buying the Bronze Age gold, found on land at Poulton.

Together with the £1,200 generously donated by members of the public, the Going For Gold appeal now stands at £18,200 – just £1,800 short of its target.

The 59 pieces of gold were discovered by a metal detector enthusiast in 2004. They were declared treasure earlier this year by the coroner and may now be sold, with the proceeds being split between the landowner and the finder.

The Museum, owned by Cotswold District Council, needs to raise the full amount to buy the hoard by January 22nd, 2007.

After the appeal was launched in the Council’s newspaper, Cotswold News, and backed by the local media, residents have been calling into the museum and Council offices to make donations – ranging from loose change to £50 cheques.

The Council’s Portfolio holder for Sport and Culture, Cllr David Fowles, said: “The news of two further grants is absolutely magnificent. Our goal is in sight and hopefully, with the continued support of the public, we will be able to buy this important hoard and put it on display in the Corinium Museum next year.”

The hoard, which is thought be dated between 1300 and 1150 BC, is the only such Bronze Age gold collection to be found in the Cotswolds. It consists of chopped items and fragments of gold are thought to have been the stock of a goldsmith who buried it 3,000 years ago – either to use again or as an offering of thanks to the gods.

Collecting boxes for donations are available in reception at Cotswold District Council offices in Cirencester and Moreton-in-Marsh and at the Corinium Museum.

Cheques should be made payable to the Cotswold Museums Charitable Trust and sent to Going For Gold, The Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester, GL7 2BX.

Appeal to save treasure
Cotswold residents and visitors are being urged to back a £20,000 campaign to keep a rare 3,000-year-old Bronze Age gold hoard in the District.

The 59 pieces of gold were discovered by a metal detector enthusiast on land in Poulton in 2004.

They were declared treasure earlier this year by the coroner and may now be sold, with the proceeds being split between the landowner and the finder.

Now the Corinium Museum has launched a Going For Gold appeal to buy the hoard so that it can go on show in Cirencester.

Cotswold District Council’s Curator of Museums John Paddock said: “This is a very rare and important find and we would love to be able to raise the money to keep it in the Cotswolds. If it is sold on the open market, it may go abroad and be lost from the area forever.”

The unique collection of chopped items and fragments of gold are thought to have been the stock of a goldsmith who buried it 3,000 years ago – either to use again or as an offering of thanks to the gods.

The hoard, which is thought be dated between 1300 and 1150 BC, is the only such Bronze Age gold collection to be found in the Cotswolds.

Cllr David Fowles, Portfolio holder for Leisure and Cultural Services said: “The Council will be contributing some of its own money towards the cost but we can’t do it alone.

“We’re asking the residents of the District make a donation – whatever they can afford – to help us put this special collection on permanent display at the Corinium Museum.”

Kevin Ronaldson, Chairman Friends of Corinium Museum, said the newly formed organisation was backing the fund-raising campaign. He said: ”Although we have only just launched the Friends this September, we have already attracted a lot of members and are optimistic that we can provide valuable support to the appeal.”

Collecting boxes for donations are available in reception at Cotswold District Council offices in Cirencester and Moreton-in-Marsh and at the Corinium Museum.

Cheques should be made payable to the Cotswold Museums Charitable Trust and sent to Going For Gold, The Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester, GL7 2BX.

If you pay income tax or capital gains tax, the Trust can help your money go further by claiming Gift Aid of 28p for every £1 donated. We need your name, address and postcode for this – please pick up a form at Council offices or the museum, or download one from the council’s website at www.cotswold.gov.uk.