Step back in time and meet characters from the Victorian needle industry as you are led around the mill in this interactive tour presented to you by Indigo Arts Theatre Group.
Listen to the women gossiping as they work and meet the pointers, renowned amongst the people of Redditch. See the scourers at work in the original 17th Century mill building.
MUSEUM ENTRY APPLIES
Step back in time and meet characters from the Victorian needle industry as you are led around the mill in this interactive tour presented to you by Indigo Arts Theatre Group.
Listen to the women gossiping as they work and meet the pointers, renowned amongst the people of Redditch. See the scourers at work in the original 17th Century mill building.
MUSEUM ENTRY APPLIES
Come along to Forge Mill's fabulous farm fun day. An opportunity to meet some cuddly creatures and enjoy some other rural activities. All the fun of the farm, including:
- Encounter animals such as sheep, goats, a calf, rabbits, chickens
- Pony rides
- Plant a seed activity
- Children's craft activity
ADULTS £2.00, CHILDREN £1.00, FAMILY £5.00
Includes entry into the museum
Join Avonmill Players as they uncover an 18th century Redditch mystery in 'Dr Wilmore's Revenge'. Written by local genealogist Vanessa Morgan.
Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting the museum.
TICKETS £4.00
Mica is a naturally occurring mineral that can be split into thin glass like sheets. It has an aged cracked quality that enhances the surface well when trapping collage pieces between it. We will be experimenting with mica to make intriguing neckpieces. Materials are extra.
More information about the artist on her web site.
Read more about our workshops.
£25.00
Have a great time learning how to make my unique folded and manipulated fabric origami patchwork. You will learn the basics and then progress to some exciting variations for inclusion in your work or as mini projects. Otherwise known as 'squashed frogs' and 'leaded lights'! Hand piecing.
More information about the artist on her web site.
Read more about our workshops.
Read more about the exhibition.
£25.00
Experience medieval life in the Knight's encampment! Witness the drill and arming of military men and see the ritual of dressing English Knights in full battle armour.
Wander amongst the camp and see everyday life in action with cooking and craft demonstrations - you can even take part in some medieval dancing set to authentic music! Be entertained medieval style with our amusing jester!
ADULTS £2.50, CHILDREN £1.00, FAMILY £5.00
Enjoy some Shakespeare theatre in the picturesque setting of the Forge Mill grounds. Please bring your own seating.
Gates open at 6.00pm. Performance starts at 6.30pm.
Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting the museum.
£5.00 IN ADVANCE, £7.00 ON THE DOOR
Luscious landscapes, stunning skies, smouldering sunsets. All of these and more, can be achieved by painting fabrics. Learn how to produce these effects on cotton fabric for use in patchwork, quilting, appliqué and embroidery using brushes and sponges. Colour, heliographic (sun) effects and the use of finished fabrics all be discussed.
More information about the artist on her web site.
Read more about our workshops.
Read more about the exhibition.
£25.00
A day of fun archaeology themed activities for all the family!
A day of fun archaeology themed activities for all the family! Try your hand at archery using longbows to fire at targets and play some medieval games. Find out more about the history of Bordesley Abbey with a free guided tour. Have a go at excavating, sorting and recording your finds and try out one of our special backpacks for budding archaeologists. There will also be medieval food tasting and themed children's craft activities.
ADULTS £2.00, CHILDREN FREE
Celebrate our exciting exhibition, The Ballad of Big Al, with a special Dinosaur Day at Forge Mill. Events include:
- Performances of 'Bone Idol' by the Avonmill Players, a fast, fun, fact-filled guide to dinosaurs
- Meet a fossil expert
- Dig for fossils
- Dinosaur craft
- Dino face painting
Read more about the exhibition.
MUSEUM ENTRY APPLIES, CHILDREN FREE
Another popular workshop where you will learn how to layer velvet, metallic sweetie Foils, organza and machine embroidery to create a shimmering ancient looking icon to frame.
More information about the artist on her web site.
Read more about our workshops.
£25.00
A display by the guild of model wheelwrights set in the beautiful grounds of Forge Mill Museum.
FREE
A variety of themed days to entertain the children over the holidays. Suitable for ages eight to twelve.
Booking in advance is essential by contacting the museum.
Outdoor performance of this classic comedy performed by the Avonmill Players and directed by Robert Wilkes.
Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting the museum.
ADULTS £6.00, CHILDREN £4.00
We shall start with simple drawing, putting together marks and lines. These we shall translate into stitch. Mainly using machine stitch, and primarily free machine embroidery, we shall explore the expressive potential of a line, seeing how to interpret the fluidity of a drawn line through stitch.
Alice Kettle is a contemporary textile/fibre artist based in the UK. She has established a unique area of practice, consistently and on an unparalleled scale. She has extended the possibilities of machine embroidery: producing works the size of tapestries, exploiting the textures and effects made possible through the harnessing of a mechanical process to creative ends. She is a Research Associate at Manchester Metropolitan University and Honorary Fellow at the University of Winchester. Her work is represented in various public collections.
Read more about our workshops.
£30.00
Come along to Forge Mill's fabulous farm fun day. An opportunity to meet some cuddly creatures and enjoy some other rural activities. All the fun of the farm, including:
- Encounter animals such as sheep, goats, a calf, rabbits, chickens
- Plant a seed activity
- Children's craft activity
ADULTS £2.00, CHILDREN £1.00, FAMILY £5.00
Includes entry into the museum
Starting with simple drawing, and folding and cutting paper to translate into stitch and fabric. Using machine stitch to make layers and collage so that edges and folds and shapes are linked with the machine line.
Alice Kettle is a contemporary textile/fibre artist based in the UK. She has established a unique area of practice, consistently and on an unparalleled scale. She has extended the possibilities of machine embroidery: producing works the size of tapestries, exploiting the textures and effects made possible through the harnessing of a mechanical process to creative ends. She is a Research Associate at Manchester Metropolitan University and Honorary Fellow at the University of Winchester. Her work is represented in various public collections.
Read more about our workshops.
£30.00
Karina gives a one day workshop teaching her famous technique of slashing. This simple stitch process allows you to create beautifully complex surfaces from unloved, recycled, or plain old fashioned fabrics.
Karina will first demonstrate and explain this process and then you will be able to experiment with this technique to create your own beautiful unique surfaces. You will only need a collection of fabrics you don't want, and an ability to vaguely sew in a straight line! You can of course bring 'nice' fabric with you its just more fun to make good stuff out of fabric you don't love anymore.
Read more about our workshops.
£30.00
Carve your own spooky design into a pumpkin lantern in this fun and messy workshop led by museum staff. Booking in advance is essential.
Read more about children's activities.
£4.00
Join us for an eerie evening's walk when you will discover the haunting tales that are associated with the old mill and the Bordesley Abbey site.
We will also divulge some of the findings that professional ghost hunters and psychics have made!
Warm clothes, strong shoes and a torch are advisable!
Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting the museum.
£4.00 IN ADVANCE, £5.00 ON THE DOOR
Step back in time and join us to celebrate a traditional Christmas. Victorian musicians will provide the festive atmosphere whilst you browse amongst a variety of food and craft stalls to choose unique Christmas gifts.
There will also be the opportunity to visit Father Christmas in his grotto as well as take part in some children's creative crafts.
- A variety of craft stalls providing unique Christmas gifts
- Victorian musicians to greet you
- Selection of food and drink stalls
- Traditional carol singing with Indigo Arts Heritage Group
- Visit Father Christmas in his grotto
- Mulled wine and roasted chestnuts
- Victorian entertainment
- Christmas crafts for children
A truly traditional Christmas event for all ages!
ADULTS £1.00, CHILDREN FREE
Roll up for an extra special Christmas evening - a mixture of performance and traditional carols provided by Indigo Arts Heritage Group to get you into the Christmas spirit!
ADULTS £5.00, CHILDREN £2.00
Forge Mill Needle Museum and Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre holds many different events throughout the year.
These can link in with National Days or initiatives, seasonal themes or temporary exhibitions that are on display at the museum.
In 2010 the events programme is bigger than ever and includes all sorts of events: Medieval Festivals, Farm Fun Days, workshops, displays, puppet shows, outdoor theatre presentations and many more.
With such a variety of events there is something for everybody!
