Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are being encouraged to discover the county’s history at a museum recognised for helping visitors feel included, welcomed and valued.

The Oxfordshire Museum, which is run by Oxfordshire County Council, has become the first organisation to receive the SEND Youth Forum's Seal of Approval.

The SEND Youth Forum was created by the council to strengthen the voices of young people with SEND in Oxfordshire, helping to shape services, improve support and provide opportunities for them to share their experiences, ideas and aspirations. Members who recently visited the museum found it to be a welcoming, engaging and accessible place to explore local history interactively.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Community and Corporate Services, said: "We are delighted that the Oxfordshire Museum has received the SEND Youth Forum's first ever Seal of Approval. This recognition reflects the museum's commitment to ensuring everyone can enjoy and engage with Oxfordshire's rich heritage and collections.

"The feedback from forum members shows how important it is to listen to young people and involve them in shaping inclusive and accessible visitor experiences. We are grateful for their insight and look forward to welcoming them back in the future."

The award recognises the work the museum has undertaken to improve accessibility in recent years. As well as receiving the Seal of Approval, the museum has joined the Safe Places scheme, committed to seeking regular input from its Access Panel on everything from website information to temporary exhibitions, and introduced the Bloomberg Connects app to improve the visitor experience.

The Seal of Approval recognises organisations and venues that help children and young people with SEND feel included, welcomed and valued. Forum members were impressed by the museum's welcoming approach, accessible environment and engaging ways for visitors to learn about Oxfordshire's history.

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Young writers across Oxfordshire are being encouraged to unleash their imaginations as the Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum launch their second annual Children’s Creative Writing Competition.

The competition, open to all children aged seven to 11 living in Oxfordshire and run in partnership with the Oxfordshire County Council-run Oxfordshire museum, offers young storytellers the chance to see their ideas come to life.

Budding writers are invited to submit a piece of creative writing of no more than 500 words inspired by any object within the museum’s collections.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council said: “This wonderful competition encourages children to explore their creativity while connecting with the fascinating history preserved in our museum collections. It’s inspiring to see young people engage so enthusiastically with storytelling, and I’m excited that we can support opportunities like this that nurture imagination, confidence and a lifelong love of writing.”

Entries will be judged by an expert panel, with winners selected across two age categories and one outstanding piece chosen as the overall competition winner. The top young writer will receive a £50 cash prize and have their name engraved on a special trophy commemorating their achievement.

Last year’s competition was won by Linus Barnes from Cutteslowe Primary School, who impressed judges with a story inspired by an object in the Anglo Saxon Gallery.

Reflecting on his experience, Linus said: “I decided to take part in the competition because I thought it would be fun and challenging writing a story based around an object in the museum, and because I wanted to win the prize money. I really enjoyed the awards event, and I was amazed when I won first prize. I was really proud of myself!

“This has made me want to write other stories and enter more competitions. I love creative writing because you can invent characters, worlds and adventures and play with interesting words and ideas. If you want to become a better writer or be an author when you grow up, these competitions help you to improve.”

Entry forms can be collected from the museum, or requested through the contact form on the museum’s website. Submissions for must be received by 9am on Friday 12 June 2026.

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Visitors are invited to explore the dazzling spectrum of nature as a new photography exhibition opens at The Oxfordshire Museum, offering an inspiring and eye‑opening journey into how and why animals use colour to survive, communicate and thrive.

Brought to the Oxfordshire County Council-run museum by touring exhibition specialists Blue Tokay, Wild Colour highlights stunning photography that captures nature at its most vivid and diverse.

It is now on display until 15 March at the Woodstock museum. Entry is free.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors alike to experience the extraordinary ways in which animals use colour to survive and communicate. Wild Colour celebrates both the wonder of the natural world and the creativity of the specialists who have brought these images to life.”

The striking exhibition uses photographic imagery to explore the essential role that colour plays in the natural world. From the bold blue feathers of the hyacinth macaw to the shimmering iridescence of a jewel beetle, the collection unpacks the science, beauty and purpose behind some of the most remarkable colouration in the animal kingdom.

Covering themes such as the influence of red, yellow and green pigmentation on animal behaviour and communication, the exhibition also delves into how patterns and shifting hues benefit species in their environments.

The exhibition has been made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum.

Find out what events, exhibitions and more are on at the museum by visiting its website.

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Artists are invited to get creative and share what ‘celebration’ means to them as part of the Oxfordshire Museum’s 2026 Open Art Competition, marking a milestone year for the Oxfordshire County Council run attraction.

Now entering its fourth year, the competition has already delivered three memorable exhibitions that have highlighted the breadth and quality of Oxfordshire’s artistic talent. In 2026, artists are encouraged to reflect on what celebration means to them - whether that’s a treasured personal milestone or a moment of communal joy.

The competition opens to entries on 1 February, with shortlisted works going on display at a special exhibition at the museum between 19 September and 11 October.

Councillor Cllr Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “For some, celebrations are deeply personal – a birthday, passing an exam, a family reunion. For others, they’re shared: communities coming together to mark moments of joy.

“Our chosen theme, celebration, is inspired by a special milestone for us too, as The Oxfordshire Museum turns 60 this October. We can’t wait to see the many ways people choose to express their own celebrations.”

All forms of media are welcome, including painting, textiles, mixed media, photography and digital. To be eligible the artwork must have been created after the artist’s eleventh birthday, and the artist must be an Oxfordshire resident.

Winners will be selected by a panel of special guest judges and announced at a special preview event ahead of the public opening of the exhibition.

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People in Oxfordshire and beyond have helped Oxfordshire County Council’s museum service successfully acquire an exceptional Iron Age hoard.

A successful fundraising campaign was run by the Friends of Oxfordshire Museum and raised £11,725 to enable the purchase of the collection.

The pieces include a horse brooch believed to be over 2,000 years old and is currently undergoing conservation.

Discovered five years ago in Rotherfield Peppard, near Henley, the hoard will eventually go on display at the council-run museum, which is free to visit. The display will feature 3D-printed objects, allowing visitors to experience what it is like to hold one of these rare artefacts.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “This hoard, buried nearly 2,000 years ago, really belongs to the people of Oxfordshire, so it’s fantastic to see the public rally around this campaign. Their support shows how important Oxfordshire’s heritage is to our residents and beyond the county.

“We look forward to seeing this very special hoard on display at the museum once it has been conserved. By acquiring the collection, it is safeguarded for the public forever.”

The treasures were found in a pottery urn, sealed by a quern stone. The contents included a stunning copper alloy and enamelled Iron Age horse brooch, an enamelled patera handle, a silver Roman coin, and a lead weight.

Such a hoard is classified as treasure under the Treasure Act for England and Wales. As the county’s repository for archaeological finds, the county council’s museum service was given the first opportunity to acquire it for Oxfordshire.

Chairman of the Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum, Edward Dowler, said: “The Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum are pleased to have hosted the museum’s first crowdfunder campaign. We are very grateful to the 244 people who donated. In exceeding the fundraising target, the museum team will be able to deliver enhanced conservation and create an engaging display. We are all looking forward to seeing the end result.”

The campaign was also supported by academics Dr Rena McGuire, Dr Sophia Adams, Professor Gary Locke, and Dr Wendy Morrison who shared their expertise to help explain the hoard’s importance.

Donors who gave £20 and over will be invited to a special private viewing of the treasure. Those who gave over £200 will be named in our archive as supporters.

The Oxfordshire Museum cares for, safeguards, and makes accessible the heritage of the county. Its collections can be accessed through displays, a loans programme, and a digital catalogue, and can be used for research.

The Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum is a registered charity that supports the museum through fundraising and financial support for special events, acquisitions, and educational programmes.

Residents can find out more about the museum, upcoming events and exhibitions by visiting its website. Learn more about the Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum and the benefits of becoming a Friend by visiting the Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum’s website.

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Two of Oxfordshire’s museums are offering an opportunity for four young people to take over some of the roles in the museum.

Kids in Museums Takeover Day is a national initiative where museums, galleries, historic homes, archives, and heritage sites invite young people to take part in behind the scenes experiences.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Oxfordshire Museum, and the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock, will both be taking part in the event on Friday 21 November.

Jemma Davey, Oxfordshire County Council’s Museum Service Manager, said: "This is our first year taking part in Kids in Museums Takeover Day.

“We are committed to giving young people opportunities to gain new skills and learn more about how the heritage sector can offer a career option for the next generation. We are thrilled to be partnering with the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum on this."

The young people who are selected will be able to get behind the scenes at the museums, experience a day in the life of a professional and learn a variety of skills

The roles on offer at the museums are social media assistant and front of house assistant.

Since Kids in Museums Takeover Day began in 2010, more than 40,000 children and young people have taken part nationally. Run by the organisation, Kids in Museums, it was established to help historic institutions empower young people and give them meaningful roles in their organisations.

Ursula Corcoran, Director of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, said: “We are really looking forward to raising the profile of young people in heritage through this year's Takeover Day. Ultimately, we want more young people to get involved with all our activities and become lifelong supporters of museums throughout the country.

"It will be a perfect opportunity to hear directly from young people about our museum and listen to their thoughts about the galleries as they spend the day immersed in the daily life of a small independent museum.”

To find out more about the roles, email handsonheritage@oxfordshire.org.uk and mark for the attention of Laura Dean. Deadline for expressions of interest is Sunday 2 November. The roles are open to anyone up to the age of 25 from across Oxfordshire. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered.

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The theme of this year’s Open Art competition is animals and the responses from artists has been just as varied as the beings depicted, with more entries from younger artists than even ever before.

Over 100 submissions were received, with the 55 shortlisted on display in the Garden Gallery and Brewhouse at the Oxfordshire County Council run museum. The exhibition is free to enter, and donations are welcomed.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Residents of all ages have contributed a piece to our exhibition. The result is a diverse collection of artwork that depicts many different varieties of animals. Various mediums are used from textiles to ink, and sculpture to photography. All are to be found in this exhibition that explores the many representations of people.

“I would really encourage people to drop by before 2 November to have a look for themselves and vote for their favourite.”

There are sculptures, textiles and photography all on show in this exhibition, which also includes the opportunity for visitors to vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice Award.

Prizes have also been awarded for the three artworks that most effectively depicted the theme of animals.

First prize went to David Farrer for Shetland Ram. David’s artistic approach to sculpture is to create eco-friendly alternatives to the real thing – trophy hunting. He hopes his artworks carry this message with humour.

Second prize was awarded to Greg Whiteman for Eagle Owl. Greg’s art captures the essence of subjects with a depth that resonates both visually and emotionally.

The under 18 first prize was awarded to Elliot Tagzeghid for Juno. Elliot said: “I have always been passionate about art. From a young age I experimented with different materials starting with colouring crayons. I studied GCSE art and have gone on to do it at A level as well.

“I love cats, and my friends have lots of cats who I love. If I could tell a young person why they should continue or start art I would say the most important thing is to enjoy creating.

“Too many people these days are aiming for perfection, but young artists should just enjoy experimenting and creating.”

The museum service would like to acknowledge the prize sponsors – The Feathers Hotel, Cotswold Arts Through Schools and Blenheim Palace.

This year’s judges were local Councillor Andy Graham, author Charlotte Guillain and Head of Collections at Woodstock Art Gallery in Canada, Danielle Hoevenaars.

The museum team will be announcing next year’s theme early in the new year. Residents can sign-up to its e-newsletter to hear all the latest updates.  

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Opening Saturday 21 June, Ice Age: Mammoth Quest at the Oxfordshire County Council run museum invites visitors on an immersive quest through the Ice Age. Experience the highs and lows of the dramatic climate swings and dress up as animals from the era or even play scientist in the museum’s archaeology science lab.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, with responsibility for resources, said: “There’s no better way to cool off this summer than to come to the Oxfordshire Museum and experience the Ice Age!

“This new exhibition, which runs all summer long, features some truly fascinating objects from hundreds of thousands of years ago – including remains from the last known mammoth in Europe, as well as lots of exciting activities and events for people of all ages throughout the season.

“This is just one of so many events we have on at the museum. With entry free, it makes a great day out for everyone.”

The exhibition closes on 31 August.

A range of activities and events relating to the exhibition will also be taking place, including an evening talk by Manse Ahmad from the award winning Channel 4 documentary 'Surviving the Stone Age' and axe making for children.

The exhibition is also introducing to the museum family, mascot explorers Idris, Martha and their canine buddy Herbie! Little explorers can follow the intrepid group to solve some of the mysteries of the Ice Age and discover our own Mammoth.

Find out what’s on throughout the summer months by visiting the museum’s website.

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Now in its third year, the Oxfordshire County Council-run competition seeks to highlight the county’s finest creative minds, with this year’s theme being animals.

It is free to enter and is open to anybody living in Oxfordshire aged 11 and over.

This year also sees the introduction of a young artist’s award for the first time for residents aged 11 to 18.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Corporate Services, said: We know that Oxfordshire is full of creativity, and we want to show it off. This competition is an opportunity for everybody and anybody to share their talents.

“Animals are all around us in Oxfordshire at home, at work and in the wild, and the face of our animal companions is ever changing.

“We hope this year’s theme will provide inspiration for a range of responses and produce another moving and enjoyable exhibition showcasing our resident’s talents.”

The museum is particularly keen to encourage three dimensional entries, including sculptures, to the competition this year.

Submissions can be made online from 1 February. More details on how to enter will be made available on the Oxfordshire Museum’s website. Entries cannot be accepted from those living outside of the county.

Prizes will be judged by a panel of special guest judges, and the winners will be announced at a special preview party.

An exhibition displaying the shortlisted entries and winners will be open to the public at the museum from 27 September until 2 November.

Pictures show some of the previous winners of the competition

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There are a range of fun and free activities during the Easter holidays for young children to enjoy, as well as a new exhibition, Making an Entrance, that seeks to showcase some of the best museum acquisitions from over the past decade.

From 3 April, visitors will also soon be able to unwind in a new dog-friendly seating area in the scenic courtyard as part of an extension to the existing café. The project, funded with a grant from the South East Museum Development on behalf of Arts England, has also allowed for the purchase of plants and new pots to allow garden volunteers to grow produce for the café and help the museum reduce food waste.

Mark Haynes, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Customer and Cultural Services, said: “Our Oxfordshire Museum has so much to offer to people of all ages, and there’s even more coming with an exciting new exhibition this April.

“Entrance to the museum is free, as are activities for children during the Easter holidays, so a trip to the Oxfordshire Museum is a great day out for everyone. You can also now enjoy one of the museum’s delicious homemade cakes in the grounds with a furry friend.”

From 1 April, the new ‘Making an Entrance: unseen treasures’ exhibition will be showcasing the very best of the museum's acquisitions to the collection from the last decade. Many of the objects will never have been on public display before.

It is a chance to see the breadth and depth of the county’s collection and learn more about what, how and why we collect objects.

Families with young children can also make the most of fun family activities over the Easter Holiday, free and with no booking required:

Tuesday 4 April
Colour, Craft and Make: Creative activities aimed at the under-fives.
10.30 am - 12.00 noon

Rhymetime: Come and enjoy some rhymes and songs
12 noon - 12.30pm

Down the Rabbit Hole: Make a fun wooden spoon rabbit character and have a look at the dress Alice wore
2pm - 4pm

Wednesday 5 April
Sow and Grow: Plant vegetable seeds in a decorated plant pot. Just keep them away from rabbits!
10.30pm – 12.30pm

Thursday 6 April
Storytelling: Our weekly library storytelling, but this week bursting with bunnies.
11.15am – 11.45am

Origami Flowers: Make your own garden of freshly folded flowers - suitable for beginners and experienced crafters.
12noon – 1.00pm

Peter Rabbit’s Easter Garden: Using paper and card make a colourful garden for Peter Rabbit.
2.00pm – 4.00pm

Tuesday 11 April
Colour, Craft and Make: Creative activities aimed at the under-fives.
10.30am – 12.00noon

Cycle of Life: Explore the life stages of butterflies and make something fun to take away.
2.00pm – 4.00pm

Rhymetime: Come and enjoy some rhymes and songs
12.00 – 12.30pm

Wednesday 12 April
Bug Hotel: Check-in and help construct a bug hotel in the museum garden. Make a mini bug house to take home.
10.30am – 12.30pm

Thursday 13 April
Storytelling: Our weekly library storytelling, but with an interesting insect theme
11.15am – 11.45am

Incredible Insects: Let your imagination run wild. Use a variety of materials to make a species of insect.
2.00pm to 4.00pm

A full list of events is available on Oxfordshire Museum’s website.

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People will be able to choose from a range of different and exciting items including a Baird television from 1949, a collection of items from Didcot A Power Station, an ice-cream container from L Smallbones in the 1930s or a medieval cauldron and jar.

 The chosen item will be accompanied by events delivered by Oxfordshire Museum Service staff.

 Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Community Safety, said: “Instead of our museum curators deciding the programme for next year at Didcot library, this is an exciting opportunity for library users to become the curators and decide instead.

“What object evokes the most memories and interest for residents of Didcot? Do explain your vote on the library Facebook page.”

The deadline to cast a vote is 17 December, which can be done using Didcot Library’s Facebook page or in person at the library.

Shortlist

Ice-cream container from L Smallbones, 222 Broadway, 1930s

In the early 1930s, Broadway became the town’s thriving shopping centre. Leslie and Betty Smallbones ran a tobacconist and confectioner’s shop at 222 Broadway in the 1930s, where this ice cream cup was sold.

Baird television 1949

This television belonged to a family from Didcot who worked at Harwell and were always interested in the latest technology. Only few households would have owned a television in the 1950s. Broadcast hours were strictly controlled by the postmaster general.

No broadcast went out between 6pm and 7pm for a while to make it easier for children to be put to bed, a time slot known as ‘toddlers’ truce’. It was dropped in 1957.

 A collection of items from Didcot A Power Station

Didcot A Power Station operated from 1970 until March 2013. Its impact on the landscape with its striking cooling towers often divided opinion but became the defining image of Didcot. In 1968, the power station won a Civic Trust Award for how well it integrated into the landscape, but in 2003 a poll in Country Life magazine judged it to be Britain’s third worst eyesore.

The items here came from the training room at the station:

·       Work order: This is an example of a typical work order issued to the engineers working at the plant in 1974.  

·       Fuel tokens and fuel ration book: These were issued for the working vehicles on the site during the oil crisis of 1974.

·       Placemat set: This leatherette table set came from the training room at the power station while it was operated by Central Electricity Generating Board between 1970 and 2004.

 Medieval cauldron and jar

The 11th to 12th century bronze cauldron and jar were found by a metal detector user on the outskirts of Didcot. The cauldron was placed on top of the jar as a lid and has been repaired many times with patches. The repairs illustrate how important the cauldron was to its owner, but it is not known what it would have contained.

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The VCH is a national research project to document the history of every county in England by creating a place by place encyclopaedia of each of the historic counties of England. Michael Wood led a one-off lecture revisiting his groundbreaking ‘The Story of England’ TV series, which focused on a single place throughout English history. It looked at the importance of history from the bottom up through ordinary places and ordinary people, which the VCH project in Oxfordshire aims to do.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “I am delighted that Michael Wood was able to come to Oxfordshire and support our Victoria County History project.

“The project allows us to document some of the rich and colourful history of our stunning county – from the Cotswolds, Cherwell Valley and the Chilterns to the City of Oxford.”

In Oxfordshire, the latest VCH volume covers the South Oxfordshire Chilterns and is number 20 out of a planned 23 encyclopaedias that document the history of the county pre-1974. 

This work is led by a small team based in Oxford supported by the VCH Oxfordshire Trust and Oxfordshire County Council as part of its heritage services.

The published volumes are available in Oxford Central Library, various branch libraries and Oxfordshire History Centre.

Most are available online for free at British History Online (British-history.ac.uk).

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As well as fun activities for younger visitors, there are also permanent galleries to explore and a temporary exhibition, Juxtaposition, offering a new perspective for those interested in history and creative arts. 

Visitors can also unwind during the long summer days in the peaceful garden and indulge themselves with homemade treats at the museum café.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Consumer Services, said: “There is a huge array of fun activities at our Oxfordshire Museum this summer, including dedicated children’s activities. Whatever your interests are, there is something for you! What’s more, the museum is free entry to all, so a great, low-cost day out for everyone.”

Children's activities at The Oxfordshire Museum

 There are free activities for younger visitors throughout the summer break as well as a new I-Spy Trail and a Crazy Trail for those who like more of a challenge.

 Activities are free of charge thanks to the support of the Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum.

Juxtaposition exhibition

 Showing at the museum until Sunday, 9 October, this exhibition brings together objects from the prestigious southern arts crafts contemporary collection to meet their historic counterparts.

 It features work by well-known artists such as Kate Malone, John Makepeace and Michael Brennand-Wood and past winners of the Oxfordshire Craft Guild’s Fletcher Prize.

 Find out what's on this summer at the Oxfordshire Museum at oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshire-museum

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The strategy sets out how such services will be delivered in the years up to 2027 considering the changing needs of Oxfordshire's growing population. The council’s Cabinet agreed that the strategy should be released for consultation at its meeting on 21 December.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “Public libraries and heritage services are trusted, free to use and open to everyone. They act as safe and welcoming spaces, serve as launchpads for information and knowledge and provide opportunities for creativity and enjoyment.

“Our libraries and museums also serve as hubs, providing a wide range of services and facilities accessible to local communities.

“We are passionate about our services and know that access to our collections can make a real difference to lives in so many ways. They inspire, challenge and stimulate us to think about where we have come from and our future as individuals and communities.

“It is crucial our services actively respond to the current and changing needs of the local population. This strategy, supported by an ambitious action plan, provides the strong foundation for that to happen.”

As well as continuing to make available books and access to our collections, Oxfordshire County Council's library and heritage service will increase its focus on support and opportunities for people. This includes promoting digital inclusion and increasing access to programmes and activities that help improve health and wellbeing. 

The strategy forms part of the county council's long-term vision for Oxfordshire, which aims to make it a greener and fairer county. An action plan, updated annually, will set out how to achieve the priorities laid out in the strategy.

Residents can read the strategy and take part in the consultation on Let’s Talk Oxfordshire from 24 January 2022.

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The seal, which is a unique survival from the 13^th century, was first discovered in the parish of Epwell, just a few miles west of Banbury, back in 2015.

It was purchased by the museums service for display in the county after a fundraising campaign.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety said: “It is wonderful news that we’ve been able to bring this historic artifact back to Oxfordshire.

“This seal is particularly notable for it’s superb quality and excellent condition. There’s much we don’t know yet about this seal, including who may have been the owner, and where they were from, but that is what makes the find all the more intriguing.

“This is a chance for local residents to see a piece of Oxfordshire history.”

A seal matrix was used to make an impression on a wax seal to validate a document or to seal it closed. The Epwell seal matrix is made of gold, with a dark green jasper setting, called an intaglio. The intaglio was believed to have been intricately engraved in either Paris or London and depicts the portrait, in profile, of an unknown female.

It hasn’t been possible to identify the owner of the seal, who could have been somebody simply passing through the area, but it is likely to have been a symbol of the wealth, status and power of its owner.

The seal was purchased by the Museums Service with support from the Headley Trust, V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Friends of The Oxfordshire Museum.

Find out more about upcoming events and collections at the museum by going to the Oxfordshire County Council website.

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Oxfordshire County Council is planning a phased approach to the reopening of public buildings with every precaution being taken to make sure that this happens safely for those staff who will work in them and members of the public who visit them.

On June 23 Prime-Minister Boris Johnson announced in parliament a number of changes to the UK’s response to COVID-19. These will be applicable from July 4.

Previous changes to lockdown arrangements in Oxfordshire have seen household waste recycling centres reopen and schools welcome back more pupils. All of the county council’s cultural services sites have been closed in Oxfordshire and elsewhere since late March.

Methodical and safe

Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Cabinet Member for Education and Cultural Services said: “We will fully focus on each building before making decisions on re-openings to ensure that the work required to meet the latest social distancing guidelines is undertaken in a methodical way leading to excellent and safe arrangements.

“All of us at the council appreciate how highly valued our cultural facilities are and we join residents in looking forward to them all being reopened in a safe way in future times.

“The council is committed to keeping the public up to date whenever a new re-opening is due and we will update people on what arrangements have been put in place to keep visitors safe.”

Like no other decade, 1980s Britain was dominated by a single political figure. As the first woman to serve as a British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher vowed “to move this country in a new direction.” In doing so, she divided the nation into devoted supporters and fierce opponents. The 1980s were bold, brash and contradictory times. An age of upward mobility, boom and bust, of lavish spending and charitable-giving, when hair was big and shoulder pads bigger. The decade of the New Romantics swaggering in frills and flounces, while keep-fit fanatics lunged in Lycra and legwarmers. The action-packed decade of new technology and momentous historic world events that shaped our modern world.

There are also lots of fun-packed activities for our younger visitors during the February school holidays with art and craft sessions. Discover how forensic archaeologists use almost invisible detail to piece together the past and have a go yourself. Dress up and explore being a Roman and enjoy coding and fun with robots with Woodstock Library’s Digital Making Session.

For more information:

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-culture/museums/oxfordshire-museum/whats-oxfordshire-museum/childrens-activities

Tel: 01993 814106

Visitors to The Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock this summer are in for a treat as it opens Wonderland: A wander through the world of Alice.

The exhibition, which runs from June 15 to September 8, gives families the chance to explore Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland chapter by chapter, through immersive installations, objects from the museum’s collection and hands-on activities.

Highlights include the opportunity to take part in a game of croquet, dressing up as the Cheshire Cat and seeing yourself transformed in a magic mirror and taking your seat for a tea party with Alice and her friends.

The Oxfordshire Museum is run by Oxfordshire County Council and forms part of our rich cultural service, supporting our commitment to thriving communities. We provide services that enhance the quality of life in our communities and protect the local environment.

From the museum’s collection are items that belonged to Alice Liddell, the real-life Alice who inspired the story, including her dress and parasol.

As you make your way through the chapters you will also find the Mad Hatter’s top hat, the cook’s pepper pot, the footman’s livery and the Queen’s tart cases.

The exhibition has been curated by The Story Museum in Oxford and is the first time the two organisations have worked in partnership.

The story of Alice was first told in Oxford by Lewis Carroll, who lived and worked as a don at Christ Church, and many of the most famous characters and scenes from the much-loved book are inspired directly from Carroll’s surroundings and contemporaries.

Cllr Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Cabinet member for Cultural Services, said: “The story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is intrinsically linked to Oxford and it’s wonderful that we’ve been able to link up with The Story Museum to put on this exhibition.

“Objects from the museum’s social history collections really do help to bring the Victorian world of Lewis Carroll and Alice to life.”

Whether you’re a life-long fan, or new to Alice and want to take your first tumble down the rabbit hole, this exhibition offers families the perfect chance to enjoy a classic story together.

The museum will also be marking Alice’s Day on July 6 with garden games and a tea party from 2pm-4pm.

There is a full programme of children’s activities throughout the summer holidays.

The Oxfordshire Museum is open 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday, and 2pm to 5pm Sundays. Entry to the museum and exhibitions is free. For further information click here or telephone 01993 814106.

The museum in Woodstock presents Matisse: Drawing with Scissors, from The Southbank Centre, London, featuring 35 lithographic prints of the artist’s famous cut-outs.

Matisse (1869-1954) was one of the 20th century's most influential artists. He continued creating highly-original works well into his 80s.

The cut-outs were produced in the last four years of his life, when the artist was confined to his bed, and include many of his iconic images, such as The Snail and the Blue Nudes.

For these cut-outs he used paper that had been hand-painted with gouache and said of the process that 'the paper cut-out allows me to…draw straight into the colour'.

May half-term art activities for children and families at The Oxfordshire Museum will have a Matisse theme and on Friday, May 31, there is a free creative drop-in session for older people in association with the Age of Creativity initiative and Oxfordshire Artweeks. Click here for further details.

Matisse: Drawing with Scissors, Late works 1950-54, runs from May 4 to June 2. Entry is free.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Finds Liaison Officer Anni Byard estimated that around 400 objects were found during Detectival 2018 near Leafield in West Oxfordshire last Saturday and Sunday.

Anni was at the rally to help record the finds and said: “Many of the bronze Roman coins were in a very poor state, many were unidentifiable beyond being of Roman date, but they’re still important as it helps archaeologists and local history enthusiasts build a picture of what was happening in the area.

“It seems clear that many, many centuries ago this was more than arable land Detectival has added new knowledge to our understanding of archaeology of the area.”

Two hundred artefacts and coins were recorded onsite by the Portable Antiquities Service and the Oxfordshire County Council’s Museum Service.

Another 89 items submitted for export licences and an amazing 97 objects were donated to the museums service for educational use.

These included Iron Age and Roman coins, a Saxon hooked tag and Saxon brooches, medieval buckles and gilded fittings and a modern tag naming a resident of Ascott under Wychwood.

The 17^th Century toy gun would have actually fired by adding gun powder to the pan and lighting it. An Iron Age coin was identified as belonging to the local Dobunni tribe and dates from 50 – 25 BC. And it believed the descendants of the owner of a 19^th Century ID tag has been traced to the village of Ascott-under-Wychwood.

Anni, an experienced archaeologist and author, said: “I’d like to thank Mark Becher and the Metal Detectives who stage Detectival for all their support and enthusiasm for recording the county’s heritage.”

Some of the finds will go to Oxfordshire Museum Service’s repository near Standlake which will be open to the public on October 14.

Myriad items are packed in to a double-storey climate-controlled warehouse – each and every piece reflecting the social and economic history of the county.

Anni says: “It is a breath-taking sight – row upon row of rare and priceless Oxfordshire ‘memorabilia’.”

There’s old shopfront signs, farm machinery, posters, portraits, a Witney Blanket loom, wartime posters, a staircase from a stately home, a turn-of-the-century pram, a children’s pedal sports car, a plushly decorated horse-drawn carriage used by nobility, a Roman’s gravestone – the first of its kind in the county – a suitcase of baby clothes not to be given to the ‘ungrateful’ or ‘cruel’ woman.

Treasure in this Aladdin’s Cave are regularly sent out in to the community, for displays in libraries, for educational purposes in schools, for illustrated talks and for show at the county museum. Members of the public can also make appointments to tour the facility and marvel at the contents and it is used by students to help in their research.

Perhaps the most unusual object has to be a 1950s Bendix washing machine with a sign proudly revealing it was used for a 30-year period.

Anni explains:“This is the store for all archaeological objects found on commercial digs in Oxfordshire, like the Westgate Centre where there was a big archaeological project and eventually all the archive and objects they found will come here.

“We hold everything that reflects the history of the county from really modern stuff like washing machines all the way back to ancient artefacts. If something is related to the county or has a history within Oxfordshire, like Witney Blankets for example, then we can collect it. It’s all part of our social history.

“We’ve even got items from Didcot Power Station, like the control boards, when that got torn down.”

Anni is appealing for more volunteers to become involved in Oxfordshire Museum Service, especially people with a keen interest in history and photography skills.

To find out more, email anni.byard@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Oxfordshire Museum Resource Centre is holding an open day on Sunday, October 14 between 10am and 4pm. Admission is free

The Oxfordshire Museum’s 20 Years of Treasure - The Portable Antiquities scheme in Oxfordshire, marks two decades since the roll-out of the Treasure Act ensured significant archaeological finds would be preserved for the nation.

The display is already proving a hit with visitors, and now staff have launched a competition for people to choose their favourite object and submit postcards explaining their choice.

Prizes for the most thought-provoking contributions will be awarded later in the year, including unique behind-the-scenes experiences at the British Museum and Oxford Archaeology.

Left: 13th Century seal of Wymond de Brandon, found by a metal detectorist in 2012.

More about the exhibition

The range of specially chosen artefacts demonstrates the huge influence of the 1996 Treasure Act on our understanding of Oxfordshire’s history. All of the objects have been found by local people and metal detectorists across Oxfordshire.

They include treasure finds and also items that have been recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme – set up at the same time as the Treasure Act to record details of finds not classed as treasure. The exhibition is expected to run well into the new year.

Enhanced knowledge

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services Lorraine Lindsay-Gale said: “Our knowledge of Oxfordshire’s past has been greatly enhanced and the Museums Service collections enriched by the many objects found by local people and metal detectorists over the last 20 years.

“We now have an extraordinary resource for exploring our past and this exhibition is a great opportunity for visitors to come and see some of the very best of this. This is a real treat for anyone with an interest in local history – and perhaps something to inspire those who have never previously visited the Oxfordshire Museum.”

Recent addition

Among the exhibits is a remarkable recent find by metal detectorist Tim Moody from Charney Bassett. Mr Moody unearthed a rare late-Roman set of ‘dividers’ – a technical drawing instrument similar to a pair of compasses – creating excitement in local academic circles.

Photos:

Main image: Late 16th century gold pendant applique, found by a metal detectorist in 2003.

Inset: 13th century seal of Wymond de Brandon, found by a metal detectorist in 2012.

Local archaeologists will be dropping in at the 20 years of Treasure exhibition to talk about their favourite objects unearthed by members of the public and made available to the museum under the 1996 Treasure Act.

The event is taking place this Saturday, 14 October, from 2.30pm to 4.40pm, with tickets at £8. Contact the museum in Woodstock on 01993 814106.

20 Years of Treasure - The Portable Antiquities scheme in Oxfordshire

The exhibition marks two decades since the Treasure Act was introduced to ensure significant archaeological finds were preserved for the nation. It features objects from ancient pottery and gold coins to Iron Age jewellery and Elizabethan rings, demonstrating the huge influence of the 1996 Act on our understanding of Oxfordshire’s history.

All of the objects have been found by local people and metal detectorists across Oxfordshire. They include treasure finds and also items that have been recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme – set up at the same time as the Treasure Act - to record details of finds that did not class as treasure.

Photo:

Late 16th century gold pendant applique, found by a metal detectorist in 2003.

The museum will appear on 26 August, 2017 in the town centre shop front which is used by OYAP. This one off event will see significant museum items be displayed in the town - some of which have never been seen by the public before.

The Oxfordshire County Council Museums Service has partnered up with local arts charity OYAP Trust to create the new and intriguing exhibition for Bicester Kindness and Heritage Day, which aims to celebrate how kindness is shown by the people of Bicester, and how it has been recorded in the past.

Visitors will see objects, big and small, curated in a space which is designed by local young people aged 12+. Object labels will be written by young people, and the objects themselves will be curated through workshops, exploring elements of ‘kindness’ important to this generation over the month of August.

Objects big and small

Young people have chosen the objects based on an inspirational session at The Museum Resource Centre, Standlake. Residents from a local retirement complex in Bicester will also benefit from having the ‘kindness’ collection bought to them for a day, again, delivered by the young people.

There is opportunity to bring along an object to be displayed alongside the ‘kindness collection’. Live art will also happen in the space, and visitors can engage and add to a discussion on kindness on a feedback wall.

The theme: Kindness and Heritage, is a blend of both OYAP’s ethos of ‘Kindness’, and The Oxfordshire Museums Service, which houses an amazing collection of over 100,000 collected objects from over Oxfordshire. Young people from OYAP will be capturing the public’s stories of past kindness which are associated with these heritage objects and displaying them in the shop space.

County Collections Project

The idea was conceived as part of the County Collections Project, aimed at bringing Oxfordshire’s museum collections to new audiences across the county. The exhibition has been funded by Arts Council England, delivered in conjunction with the Oxford University Museums Partnership.

The object, an ancient measuring instrument similar to a pair of compasses, was unearthed by Charney Basset resident Tim Moody about 10 inches beneath the surface of an Oxfordshire farmer’s field.

The 18cm bronze ‘dividers’ feature an eagle’s head and decorative scrolls, and would have been used for drawing maps or illustrating manuscripts at the very end of the Roman period in Britain. It came to Mr Moody’s attention only when he returned home to examine his day’s finds.

Important find

Mr Moody, an electrical consultant who began metal detecting as a teenager, said: “When I first pulled it out of the ground I thought it was an old tent peg. I put it in my finds bag and thought no more about it until I was washing all the finds in the sink later on. I could see the detail was unlike anything I’d ever seen and I realised immediately it must be something of importance.”

The 56-year-old added: “I contacted the museum and they took some pictures and got a professional artist to draw some pictures. The academics were thrilled and the museums service asked if they could put them on display. I was more than happy to donate the artefact, which is probably one of my best finds. I have found a lot of silver coins and once found a gold coin dating to the time of Edward III, but never anything like this before.”

Tim Moody has been metal-detecting since his teens

New exhibition

The find has caught the attention of local academics as a rare, late example of its kind dating to the fifth or sixth century – a crucial historical period marking the transition from Roman Britain to the early Anglo-Saxon era.

Once conservation work has been carried out, the dividers will go on display at the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock as part of a new exhibition celebrating archaeological objects discovered by the general public, due to open on September 23^rd.

Generous donation

Finds Liaison Officer for Oxfordshire Museum Service Anni Byard said: “Roman dividers are uncommon objects and of those known, the vast majority are plain, undecorated utilitarian objects of early Roman date. The running ring-and-dot decoration on these dividers does suggest a late Roman or even early Saxon date so they are a really important discovery.”

The council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services Lorraine Lindsay-Gale added: “It is fantastic that Mr Moody has generously donated his find to The Oxfordshire Museum, where they’ll go on display and remain accessible in a public collection.”

Find out more

More information on the dividers can be found by visiting www.finds.org.uk/database using the reference code BERK-8A377C

Find out more about Oxfordshire Museum and the Museum Service

Main image: Metal detectorist Tim Moody examines the Roman dividers, alongside Finds Liaison Officer Anni Byard and Curator of Archaeology David Moon.

The Heroes - of the Viking World exhibition will give people of all ages the chance to discover some of the real-life ‘celebrities’ of the Viking world, such as last King of York Eric Bloodaxe, King Cnut the Great and Harald Hardrada – the thunderbolt of the North.

Visitors can explore how they were celebrated and what the archaeological evidence can tell us about them. Their stories are told through a series of display panels, replica objects and Viking Age human remains displaying the battle injuries of a warrior. On display will also be Viking remains from Oxfordshire’s county collections, excavated from St John’s College, Oxford.

A Viking encampment-themed children’s area examines the world of Viking myth, uncovering the superpowers of gods such as Thor and Odin through story and play. There are also games and crafting activities to encourage all ages to find out more.

Compelling

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Property and Cultural Services Lorraine Lindsay-Gale said: “This compelling exhibition allows you to discover some of the real-life heroes and colourful characters of the Viking World. With so much to see and do, there is something for everyone to enjoy and it’s well worth a visit.”

Heroes – of the Viking World runs at The Oxfordshire Museum from Saturday (1 July) to 1 October.

The event will provide a unique opportunity for people of all ages across north Oxfordshire to see the hoard up close and to discover why this Viking treasure is so important to the story of England.

The Ashmolean Museum, in collaboration with Oxfordshire Museum Service, is staging free roadshow events around the county which include talks, object handling sessions and displays of items from the hoard at locations including Bicester, Faringdon, and of course, Watlington.

• Drop into Bicester Library on Saturday afternoon and meet experts who will be sharing their knowledge about this wonderful find
• Discover more about Anglo-Saxon and Viking times, through object handling and craft activities; and have a close encounter with a Viking.
• All events are family friendly.

“Remarkable find”

Carol Anderson, Oxfordshire County Council’s Museums Service Manager said: “We are delighted to be able to work with colleagues from the Ashmolean to take the hoard out into communities across Oxfordshire, enabling as many people as possible to see this remarkable find and learn more about its discovery and significance for the history of England.”

Gareth Williams, Curator of Early and Medieval Coinage and Viking Collections, from the British Museum will also be giving a public lecture at Bicester library, between 1.30 and 2.30 pm. Tickets are free but limited, so we recommend advance booking

About the Watlington Viking Hoard

The Watlington Viking hoard comprises about 200 coins, some of them fragmentary, seven items of jewellery and fifteen ingots (bars of silver). The find is not particularly large, but it is hugely significant because it contains so many coins of Alfred the Great, King of Wessex (r.871-99) and his lesser well known contemporary, Ceolwulf of Mercia (r 874 -879).

The vanishingly rare ‘Two Emperors’ penny, of which the hoard contains thirteen examples, shows these two kings seated side-by-side, suggesting an alliance between the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia. This, remarkably, challenges the accounts found in written sources which dismissed Ceolwulf as a puppet of the Vikings.

The Ashmolean Museum raised £1.35 million required to purchase the hoard for the nation in 2015. More than 700 members of the public contributed to the appeal. Lead support came from a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of £1.1 million to acquire the hoard and fund a range of educational and outreach activities including this event.