Museum news Archives | Page 27 of 40

Man Engine visits St Agnes

St Agnes Museum Museum news September 3, 2016September 10, 2016

Giant Bolster had a rival when the UK’s largest mechanical puppet, a 10 metre-plus Cornish Man Engine – a miner – arrived at St Agnes Head on 1 August on one of the wettest days of the summer. Despite the constant rain and mist there was a somewhat damp crowd to greet him.

He was accompanied by a team of miners and bal maidens who created a theatrical show of music and story telling.

The Man Engine, a fantastic feat of Cornish engineering, attracted huge crowds wherever he went.

The National Trust, which owns St Agnes Head, arranged a guided walk, led by Museum Chairman, Roger Radcliffe, which finished at the entrance to St Agnes Head to coincide with the procession. Twenty-four hardy walkers braved the weather to take part.

Pub quiz success

St Agnes Museum Museum news April 12, 2016April 12, 2016

Thanks to the generosity of landlord, Bill English, and Quizmaster, Pete Mitchell, the Museum was delighted to raise £232 from a Quiz Night at the St Agnes Hotel. It was great fun and a first for the Museum which sold raffle tickets raising £148, leaving £84 raised from entries into the quiz. An excellent result.

The bar was packed with keen quizzers; the Museum entered two teams of six, but didn’t win. The Music Round was our Achilles Heel! We are very grateful to everyone who supported us.

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St Agnes Turtle’s #MuseumWeek 2016 highlights

St Agnes Museum Museum news April 4, 2016April 5, 2016

We’re very proud of our turtle here at St Agnes Museum, and none more so than during #MuseumWeek when he joins museums big and small for Twitter’s worldwide cultural event.

And with a different theme every day for a week, the Turtle certainly had his work cut out!

Monday’s theme was #secretsMW

What’s behind this beautiful door? A very apt way to start #MuseumWeek!

There's a secret door in #stagnesmuseum – where does it lead? More later in the week! #secretsMW pic.twitter.com/wDzOWnalBS

— Leatherback Turtle (@stagnesturtle) March 28, 2016

Tuesday’s theme was #peopleMW

Just one of our many hardworking volunteers – we couldn’t do it without you…

We couldn't manage without our loyal band of stewards at #stagnesmuseum – all volunteers! #peopleMW #MuseumWeek pic.twitter.com/xcJTayzrQn

— Leatherback Turtle (@stagnesturtle) March 29, 2016

Wednesday’s theme was #architectureMW

Our beautiful building is very distinctive

Two front doors? #stagnesmuseum an unusual building. Once a chapel of rest, more anon!#architectureMW #MuseumWeek pic.twitter.com/oaFpnTlDkt

— Leatherback Turtle (@stagnesturtle) March 30, 2016

Thursday’s theme was #heritageMW

Look what happens when you press the button!

Fun way to learn about mining #heritage – working model beam engine #StAgnesMuseum #heritageMW #MuseumWeek https://t.co/zyOKpbXovw

— Leatherback Turtle (@stagnesturtle) March 31, 2016

Friday’s theme was #futureMW

St Agnes Museum want contributions from local community for 2017 surfing display – anecdotes, photos, memories

For 2017 new display on history of surfing and board crafting in #stagnes Thanks WBBC for pic #futureMW #MuseumWeek pic.twitter.com/aTWhAf8rBV

— Leatherback Turtle (@stagnesturtle) April 1, 2016

Saturday’s theme was #zoomMW

You might recognise this extreme close-up!

Where is this in #stagnesmuseum? You can't miss it when you visit! #ZoomMW #MuseumWeek pic.twitter.com/GNKOqUJ20a

— Leatherback Turtle (@stagnesturtle) April 2, 2016

Sunday’s theme was #LoveMW

Our turtle didn’t disappoint, with an overgrown toenail. You heard right – that’s a toenail, sorry!

Not many museums boast an overgrown human toe-nail! We do, in the Whitworth medical collection! #LoveMW #MuseumWeek pic.twitter.com/V2tSuHPPjr

— Leatherback Turtle (@stagnesturtle) April 3, 2016

Learn more about #MuseumWeek at museumweek2016.org

Museum Friends enjoy pre-season get-togethers

St Agnes Museum Museum news March 25, 2016

Museum Friends have had a busy sociable March. First, we held our Spring Coffee Morning on 12 March when we were grateful for a fine sunny morning after so much rain. Items new for this season from the Museum shop were on sale, including colourful jute shopping bags, a range of striking nature cards, coasters, and a chough made of St Agnes tin. We also had a book stall selling exclusively Cornish books which aroused much interest, as well as our usual raffle, cake stall, second-hand books, bric-à-brac, and delicious filter coffee. The morning raised a useful £374 for our funds.

The Museum shop — New items in the Museum shop

The following Saturday, Friends of the Museum met at the Museum for drinks and nibbles, kindly sponsored by Mandy Kimmins and Printout Printing Services, and for a first look at items acquired by the Museum over the winter. It was a very convivial morning, much appreciated by all.

Exciting purchase: Late 18th century handbill

St Agnes Museum Museum news March 25, 2016March 25, 2016

St Agnes Museum is delighted to have been able to purchase a rare, late eighteenth century handbill entitled “Reasons for the support of the St Agnes Pier Bill”.

Among these reasons it lists a dozen shipwrecks, including the Hanover, which might have been prevented had there been a harbour at St Agnes, and says a harbour would promote the pilchard fishery and mining industry. It points out the opposition to the harbour by the “Proprietors of St Ives Pier”.

St Agnes Pier hand bill — St Agnes Pier handbill

The Museum is very grateful to its supporters whose donations to the New Purchases Fund have made this purchase possible.