June 2010: Back in time for medieval merriment

Luke McNeill with Tony McHale from Company Ecorcheur enjoy the activities at Forge Mill. Picture by Marcus Mingins.

A fire breathing jester, a medieval camp and combat displays drew the crowds at Forge Mill Museum on Saturday and Sunday (June 5 and 6).

Over a thousand people turned out for the third annual Medieval Festival to experience how life was lived hundreds of years ago with re-enactment group Company Ecorcheur.

Visitors watched as the re-enactors held cooking and craft demonstrations and as well as the jester pulling in the crowds, medieval minstrels provided entertainment.

Debbie Lakeman, education officer at Forge Mill, said: "It was brilliant. We had just over 1,000 people and the weather was good again. The jester was very popular, especially his fire breathing and shows, and the re-enactors showing people how life was like in Medieval times.

"They said they had lots of interest and very good questions from people interested in what they were doing and felt it was a really successful day," she added.

The next event to be held at Forge Mill will be an Archaeology Day held on Sunday, July 18.

Redditch Standard, 11 June 2010

June 2010: Medieval merriment

Step back in time with members of medieval re-enactment group Company Ecorcheur.

There will be madness, mayhem and merriment when a Redditch museum celebrates all things medieval.

Forge Mill Needle Museum will be holding a Medieval Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and 6, from 11am-4pm.

Visitors will be able to take a step back in time as they wander among the medieval knights encampment set in the grounds of the museum with members of the Company Ecorcheur.

There will be cooking and craft demonstrations, a chance to experience life for the knights in the camp, enjoy traditional medieval music and dancing, witness the drill and arming of military men and be entertained by the medieval jester.

The cost is £2.50 for adults, £1 for children and £5 for a family ticket.

Redditch Advertiser, 2 June 2010

May 2010: Quality quilts go on display

Jo-Ann Gloger with 'Indras Pearls'.

An exhibition of stunning quilts is currently open to the public at Forge Mill Needle Museum.

This is a solo exhibition by award winning Janice Gunner, one of the countries leading lights of the quilt world and former president of the Quilter's Guild of the British Isles.

Janice also has her work in national and private collections here in the UK, and also France and America.

This exhibition is called 'In Continuum' and is inspired by the colours and textures in the natural world. The exhibition includes hand dyed shibori fabrics and vintage Chinese and Japanese textiles.

A museum spokesman said: "We were incredibly lucky to have Janice agree to do a special exhibition for us. The work is a real inspiration for all quilters."

The exhibition is on at the museum in Needle Mill Lane until July 4.

Redditch Advertiser, 26 May 2010

April 2010: Plenty of family fun down on the farm

Hugs - Debbie Lakeman, Forge Mill education officer, has a cuddle with a lamb. Picture by Lucy Ford.

All the fun of the farm was had by families at Forge Mill Needle Museum on Saturday (April 17).

There were about 2,000 people who flocked to the museum for the farm day to meet with farmyard animals.

Particularly popular were the pony rides and children also enjoyed trying their hand at bottle feeding the lambs.

There were calves, sheep and turkeys wandering around while goats could be visited in their pens.

Debbie Lakeman, Forge Mill education officer, said: "It was just wonderful. We had a lot of people come and visit us and everyone seemed to be having fun. It was nice weather and we had lots of families come down to enjoy the animals."

As well as the farmyard animals, families could enjoy a talk given by Tardebigge Cider and farmyard song and dance with Indigo Arts Youth Theatre Group.

Redditch Standard, 23 April 2010

April 2010: Animal fun at museum

Daniel with a Bagoit goat and Ivor Aspland from Farm2Ewe.

There was plenty of fun to be had when ducks, goats, sheep and ponies arrived at Forge Mill Museum at the weekend.

Following a successful farm day last year, the Redditch Council-run museum will once again invited a mobile farm to its grounds.

As well as meeting all the animals, there was also craft activities, a farmyard song and dance with Indigo Arts Youth Theatre Group and pony rides.

Local producers of Tardebigge Cider were also on site to talk about their produce with their vintage roadshow and Redditch Folk Group provided music and entertainment.

Redditch Advertiser, 21 April 2010

April 2010: Crafts go on show at Museum

Keeper of collections Jo-Ann Gloger admires a picture by Sarah Jones from the exhibition. Picture by Lucy Ford.

A contemporary crafts exhibition showcasing the many talents of the Worcestershire Guild of Designer Craftsmen is on display at Forge Mill Museum until April 25.

The high quality work on show at the Needle Mill Lane museum includes jewellery, furniture, textiles, ceramics, leather and more.

For more information, call the museum on 01527 62509.

Redditch Standard, 2 April 2010

Also see: In The News Archive 2009
Also see: In The News Archive 2008
Also see: In The News Archive 2007