Christmas Family Fun

Havering Museum started its Christmas festivities in style by attending the Romford Christmas Light switch on, on Thursday 17 November 2011. Havering Museum had a stall where we were promoting our Christmas Family Fun programme and giving away hand made Havering Museum badges. The picture below shows the Museum Educator, Laura Turnage, and a learning volunteer, Sara Falcone making our badges for the community of Romford.

Havering Museum has some very exciting activities coming up over Christmas.

Family Card-Making, Saturday 3 December 2011, 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm.

This holiday make a unique Christmas Card for someone special at our annual Christmas Family Card- Making session. Don’t Forget to book as spaces are quickly disappearing.

Christmas Craft Workshop, Wednesday 7 December 2011, 2 pm to 4 pm.

At this session learn how to make an easel calendar card as well as creating a unique small gift box for someone special this Christmas.

Old Toys and Games, Saturday 10 December 2011, 2 pm to 4 pm.

Join us for another fantastic Old Toys and Games session at Havering Museum this Christmas period. This session is open to the whole family. Come and play some old-fashioned games with a Christmas twist!

An Evening of Christmas Magic, Thursday 15 December 2011, 5 pm to 7 pm.

This evening will begin with some seasonal poetry, followed by magical Christmas stories related to Havering. Admission includes entry to the museum and seasonal refreshments. This will also be the perfect opportunity to find Christmas presents in our gift shop.

Time Travel Through Christmas, Wednesday 21 December 2011, 1 pm to 3pm. 

Join us for this fabulous Christmas themed event. Discover the origins of Father Christmas and the traditions which make Christmas magical. Travel through time and find out how people celebrate Christmas throughout history.

Children’s Christmas Storytelling, Thursday 22 December 2011, 1 pm to 2.30 pm 

Bring your children to this storytelling session about the magical time of Christmas. This activity is suitable for children aged between 4 and 7 years old.

Admission applies to all these events. For more information, or to book, phone Havering Museum on 01708 766 571. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you at one of our many activities!

Havering Archaeology

After a long and fascinating year of studying archaeology, our Saturday Archaeology Club have finished their course by creating a display panel in the Museum entrance.

The archaeology club members have created this display after weeks of research into Romford Market and St. Edward’s Church.

Havering Museum would like to congratulate all the members of Havering Archaeology for completing the course:

• Brin Bond
• Laura Kirk
• Samuel Wilkinson
• Eleanor Mackintosh
• Caitlin Mackintosh
• Victoria Lock
• Helen Whittington
• Sarah Rose

We would also like to thank our volunteers Jerry Cummings and Chloe Branwhite for supervising the members of the young club in discovering more about archaeology.

The display will be in the Museum entrance until Saturday 3 December 2011. If you’re free why don’t you pop along to the Museum and discover what our Young Archaeology Club learnt about.

Chapman & Andre Map of Essex 1777

Havering Museum has turned to its volunteers to discover more about the collections. Keep following the Blog to discover more about the fascinating objects in the Museum. 

Volunteer Monica next to the Chapman & Andre map in the museum reception area.

Our Friday and Saturday Front of House volunteer Monica likes to know what captivates our visitors attention.  One of the first things that does, is the John Chapman & Peter Andre 1777 Map of Essex situated in the museum reception area, just beside the entrance to the galleries. 

It might not be the earliest map of Essex, but in terms of accuracy and sufficient coverage of milestone locations, it’s one of the most accurate early maps of the local area.

According to Monica, visitors are really fascinated by the map which illustrates the area we now know as Havering in the late 18^th Century.  She says, ‘visitors like to see if their road or address existed in that year.’  And even if it did not, there are plenty of familiar landmarks and names, not to mention clues as to the origins of name places today.

Best Family Venue 2011

Havering Museum would like to thank all its loyal visitors who voted for it to become Best Family Venue in the 2011 Havering Business Awards.

Ellen Owen, Director of Havering Museum and Stephen Keogh, Business Development Manager, were shocked and pleased to pick up the award at the ceremony on Friday 7 October 2011.

During the evening Havering Museum had the pleasure of sharing a table with the Academy of African Art. We will be working with them during October half term, for two fascinating sessions on African Art & Crafts and African Music & Drumming. To discover more about our October half term activities click here.

With your support we can continue to provide exciting family fun activities, adult lectures and craft workshops for the community of Havering.

For information on all the other lucky winners at the awards ceremony visit the Havering Business Awards website.

Exciting October half term activities

Are you looking for somewhere to take your children this October half term? Havering Museum has some exiciting and entertaining activities to occupy your children.

To celebrate Black History Month this October, Havering Museum welcomes the Academy of African Arts for two sessions.

African Art & Crafts, Wednesday 26 October, 12 noon to 1 pm

In the first session on Wednesday 26 October, you will be exposed to the rich African History of Art and Crafts. Everyone will have the opportunity to create their own African art to take home at the end of the session. Participants will be encouraged to make use of the ‘Elements of Art’ including colour, geometric shapes and lines. Admission is £3 per person.

African Music & Drumming, Friday 28 October, 12 noon to 1 pm

In the second session on Friday 28 October the activity is based on African drumming and music skills. No prior knowledge is required for this fun and energising workshop. Learn different African songs and chants and the importance of music to African culture. Admission is £3 per person.

Havering Museum also has a Children’s Ghost Event on Thursday 27 October, 1 pm to 2.30 pm. Havering’s local witch, Nellie Asbo, makes a return flying visit for story telling and puppet-making. Last year this event was so scary the children covered their eyes when listening to the spooky stories. Do not miss this event! Admission £3.50 per person.

 

For more information, or to book, for any of these sessions phone Havering Museum on 01708 766571.

The first three photos were supplied by the Academy of African Art.

Remember My Story, Remember Me

This is Stanley Kaplin. He fought in North Africa, landed in Anzio and Normandy. He carries the scars of battle.

We want to record the memories of people like Stanley and other members of the community so that future generations know about history from those who made it. If we get enough votes Natwest Community Force  may fund recording equipment for us.

Please vote for us by going to the Natwest Community Force website.

All votes are much appreciated. We want to record the memories of the people in Havering for future generations to appreciate and learn from.

Watch a video about what the Museum does by clicking here

Haunted Havering

Havering Museum was shocked to discover the residents of Havering love learning about paranormal activity! Every Ghost Talk the Museum has held, has been sold out weeks in advance! To meet popular demand, an additional ghost talk has been added to Havering Museum’s yet to be published Winter Warmers programme. 

Ghosts and Angels

Thursday 8 December 2011, 18:00 – 19:00  £3.50 (with refreshments)

If you have missed our Military and Haunted Havering talks, or want to get into the spirit of Christmas, then this is an extra special event for you!   It will provide a fascinating insight into tales of angels, military and haunted Havering.

Book now while there are still places!  Phone Havering Museum on 01708 766571 or 08452 707 737 to book, or for more information.  Alternatively come into the museum and book your place at the reception.

Ghost Stories are not just for grown-ups and Havering Museum has a special event for children this October half-term.

Children’s Ghost Stories

 Thursday 27 October 2011, 13:00 – 14:30 £3.50

Last year Nellie Asbo Havering’s local witch flew into Havering Museum to tell the children about history of witches, and how she came to get a no flying Asbo!  Nellie is returning with more fascinating magical stories and puppet making.  Book early as spaces are limited.

 

Places on the following Ghost talks are sold out.  But you can put your name on the waiting list for similar, future events.

Military Ghosts

Friday 30 September 2011, 18:00 – 20:00 £5 (with refreshments)

First World War phantom plane featured in forthcoming Military Ghost Talks.

This phantom plane will be featured in the forthcoming Military Ghost Talk.

This event will make you think differently about military ghosts and their activities.  Discover where they are, why they are there and in several cases how the ghost has reportedly saved the lives of other people!  Encounters range from RAF Hornchurch, North Weald and Europe.

 Halloween Ghost Talk 

Thursday 27 October 2011, 18:00 – 20:00 – £5 (with refreshments)

Discover where the ghosts of Havering are today and most importantly why they are there?  A paranormal investigator will also share her experiences and answer your questions.

For more information on any of the activities mentioned in this post, phone Havering Museum on 01708 766571 or 08452 707 737.