Step into Oxfordshire’s world of dragons, fairies, folklore and local legends this summer, as a new exhibition at the Oxfordshire Museum invites people to discover the tales that have shaped the county for generations.

Timeless Tales, which opens to the public on 18 July and runs until 6 September at the Oxfordshire County Council-run museum in Woodstock, explores the county’s rich folklore through tales of superstition, traditions and mythology.

Visitors will be able to explore a woodland setting, encounter a dragon and uncover beliefs, customs and local legends that have shaped Oxfordshire over time, with objects from the museum’s collection bringing the exhibition to life.

Little ones can also enjoy a special fairy door trail in the museum garden.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “This is a fascinating exhibition about stories and storytelling throughout our county’s history, bringing together traditions and local legends that continue to capture people’s imaginations.

“Whether you’re interested in local history, old beliefs or simply a good tale, this exhibition is a chance to see Oxfordshire in a new light and discover folklore hidden in familiar places. I hope residents and visitors of all ages will enjoy exploring the exhibition and feel inspired to share their own stories and traditions too.”

The exhibition is inspired by the discovery of notes recorded by Miss Constance Stanley-Smith, a former Oxfordshire County Librarian, who, from 1935, collected accounts of folklore, superstitions, miracles, hauntings and traditions from parishes throughout the county.

Supporting events throughout the summer include a performance in the museum garden by folk band Moonrakers, storytelling sessions and much more. Find out what’s on by visiting the Oxfordshire Museum’s website.

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Visitors can look forward to a summer of stories, creativity and live entertainment as the Oxfordshire Museum unveils its 2026 programme.

The summer holidays will bring a wide range of events and activities for all ages, including two ticketed performances in the Oxfordshire County Council-run museum gardens.

The programme begins on Saturday 11 July, when 440 Theatre returns to the museum gardens in Woodstock with an outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Live music follows on Friday 14 August, when Moonrakers perform Magic, Myth and Mystery in British Folk Music.

Tickets for both events are available to purchase through the museum’s website.

The events form part of a wider programme inspired by the museum’s summer exhibition, Timeless Tales, which opens on Saturday 18 July and explores Oxfordshire’s myths, superstitions and traditions.

The museum will also launch on Bloomberg Connects on 18 July, giving visitors free access to digital content and tours designed to enhance their visit.

The accessible app includes exclusive curator interviews and self-guided tours to help visitors explore the collections in more depth.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “The Oxfordshire Museum has put together a brilliant summer programme with something for everyone to enjoy.

“From theatre and live music to crafts, storytelling and hands-on activities, it offers families a great way to spend time together, get creative and explore Oxfordshire’s stories and heritage. It is important to us that many of the activities are free, so as many people as possible can take part.

“The launch of Bloomberg Connects this summer will also give visitors another way to discover more about the museum and its collections.”

Children and families can also enjoy free holiday activities at the Oxfordshire Museum, the Bishop’s Palace in Witney and Swalcliffe Barn.

At the Oxfordshire Museum, activities will run from 28 July to 27 August on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. A special storytelling event, Dragons and Ditches – Cuckoos and Witches, will take place on 1 August thanks to support from the Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum.

There will also be workshops for adults, including creative writing and summer posy making, while the museum café will be open throughout the season serving freshly prepared lunches and homemade bakes.

Find out more about summer events and activities at the Oxfordshire Museum by visiting its website.

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Children and young people visiting Oxfordshire Museum will be able to enjoy high-quality learning experiences backed by robust safety standards, after the museum was awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge. 

The museum, in Woodstock, is run by Oxfordshire County Council and has achieved national recognition for the quality of its educational visits.

The LOtC Quality Badge is the only scheme that recognises both the quality of learning and the effectiveness of risk management. It is awarded by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council said: “We want every child and young person to have inspiring, safe opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.

“Being awarded the LOtC Quality Badge is a fantastic achievement for the team and shows that we offer young people high-quality learning experiences, and we look forward to welcoming even more schools, children and young people to the museum in Woodstock.”

The application was funded by the Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum, a volunteer led charity dedicated to supporting and enhancing the museum.

Edward Dowler, Chair of Trustees, Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum, said: “A very important objective of The Friends is to enhance children’s learning when they visit the museum. We are delighted that our financial support enabled the museum to achieve this award.”

The LOtC Quality Badge is endorsed by the Department for Education. It is held by many of the UK’s leading providers of educational visits and helps schools choose venues with high standards of learning and risk management.

Find out more about the LOtC Quality Badge by visiting its dedicated website.

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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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An early medieval treasure hoard is now in the hands of Oxfordshire County Council’s museum service to go on display following a successful fundraising campaign by residents in Stoke Row.

Dating back to the mid seventh to eight centuries, the hoard contains 21 complete and fragmentary silver pennies known as sceattas. It was discovered by a metal detector user back in 2018.

Upon its discovery Curator of Archaeology at the Oxfordshire Museum service, Angie Bolton, approached the local parish council with the idea of a community fundraiser.

Parish Councillor, Roger Clayson, who was heavily involved in the efforts, explained: “The museum service had expressed an interest to acquire the hoard through the Treasure Act and needed to raise hoard at £1,300, which is what it had been valued at.

“When the parish council was contacted about the find, and the funding shortfall, our clerk Gary Wilson got straight on it, publishing the news on our website and Facebook page to encourage people to get involved and donate. In tandem with that, I got my address book to work, contacting major village businesses.”

The campaign also benefited from the support of the Nettlebed Estate and a number of popular local businesses who, along with councillors and residents, embraced the challenge.

Roger, who has lived in Stoke Row for more than 30 years, continued: “Six businesses replied to our emails, including one very popular one, who is always getting great social media reconnection. The Nettlebed Estate committed to the majority funding, with our parishioners also responding to the Facebook posts.

“Stoke Row always responds to a call to action, when it’s for the benefit of our village, raising money for disadvantaged residents, restoring village assets, or in this case keeping a medieval coin find in Oxfordshire.”

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “These treasures are particularly special as they’re the very first hoard of sceattas in the museum’s collection. The size of the hoard, and the date, make it one of national and regional importance too.

“We’d like to thank the individual donors, businesses and Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum who supported this fundraising campaign to bring this magnificent hoard into public ownership for all to enjoy.

“Without their support we may not have been successful in our fundraising endeavours. The help and support of Stoke Row Parish Councillors is also very much valued and appreciated.”

 The collection will go on display later in 2026 following conservation works.

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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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Time is running out to help Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum acquire an Iron Age hoard discovered by a metal detectorist near Henley five years ago.

The registered charity is around halfway towards raising the £10,500 needed to allow Oxfordshire County Council’s museum service to buy the hoard, which includes a stunning horse brooch that is more than 2,000 years old.

However, the fundraising campaign closes at noon on Monday 6 October, so donors are urged to visit the crowdfunder’s webpage as soon as possible.

Experts from the British Museum and the University of Oxford have added their support to the campaign, which was launched in July, by explaining the significance of the historic find.

Dr Sophia Adams, first millennium European and Roman conquest period collections curator for the British Museum, said: “This is an intriguing hoard of beguiling objects marking a personal and powerful moment of burial.

“The harness brooch is a magnificent example of a rare type of object that formed part of the harness for a pony pulling a chariot. It is unusual to find this buried with a dress brooch, a coin and the other items together in a pot.”

Emeritus Professor Gary Lock, from the University of Oxford’s School of Archaeology, said: “This is a very important collection of objects that throws light on life in the late Iron Age/early Roman periods in Oxfordshire.

“Each item is interesting in its own right but to be found together in this way gives them added significance and rarity, raising all sorts of questions about their original use and why they were buried in this way. This hoard needs to be displayed within the context of Oxfordshire’s past and a local museum is the best way of doing that.”

The hoard was discovered in the parish of Rotherfield Peppard in August 2020 and excavated by archaeologists.

The Iron Age of the British Isles started 800 years BC and it is believed that this hoard was buried in AD 50 to 150, shortly after the Roman invasion.

The hoard was found in a pottery urn, sealed by a quern stone. The contents of the urn included a stunning copper alloy Iron Age horse harness fitting, an enamelled patera handle, a brooch, one silver Roman coin and a lead weight.

Such a hoard is classified as treasure under the Treasure Act. As the county’s repository for archaeological finds, the county council’s museum service has the first chance to acquire it for Oxfordshire and ultimately save it from going into private hands.

Donors who give over £20 will also be invited to a special viewing of the hoard if the campaign is successful.

Donations made will be used only to support the acquisition and conservation of the hoard for the museum. People donating are urged to opt in for Gift Aid as this boosts the money received and will help reach the target more quickly.

Angie Bolton, curator of archaeology for the Oxfordshire museum service, said: “This Oxfordshire hoard, buried nearly 2,000 years ago, really belongs to all of Oxfordshire residents. Getting the hoard into the Oxfordshire museum service archaeology collection will enable all residents of Oxfordshire to come see it, enjoy it and be inspired by it for the next 2,000 years.

“If you can chip in and support us, no matter how small your donation, we will care for it on your behalf.”

So far, 94 people have donated to the crowdfunder and others have donated using the museum donation boxes at the Oxfordshire Museum Resource Centre.

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

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

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Oxfordshire History Centre’s staff have been rewarded for their work in archive management by achieving accredited status once again.

The Oxfordshire County Council run centre, based at St Luke’s Church in Cowley, successfully maintained the status, which is a national quality standard, recognising good performance in archive service delivery.

Retaining accredited status demonstrates that it has met the standards for collecting, preserving and making accessible the archive records in its custody.

Mark McCree, Head of Libraries and Heritage at Oxfordshire County Council, said of the award: “I am very proud of the team for retaining this national mark of excellence; and it’s particularly pleasing that we have been recognised for the scale and scope of improvements that have been made since the service last applied for this accreditation.”

The award is made by the UK Archive Service Accreditation Committee, representing the entire archive sector.

The application, which is resubmitted every three years, assesses the service on its organisational health, collections’ management procedures, access and storage arrangements, and its work with partners and stakeholders.

In making the award, the accreditation panel highlighted:

• Progress made by the service including a commitment to new storage facilities.
• The introduction of a dedicated heritage service plan.
• The expansion and development of Heritage Search, an online catalogue of Oxfordshire’s heritage resources.
• The service’s alignment with council priorities, focusing on access, engagement, collection development, sustainability and workforce.

The Oxfordshire History Centre houses the three main collections and archives in Oxfordshire. Many of the archives held can also now be accessed through the council’s dedicated online catalogue, Heritage Search.

Find out more by visiting the History Centre’s website.

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The registered charity is aiming to raise £10,500 for Oxfordshire County Council’s museum service to acquire the hoard, which includes a stunning horse brooch that is more than 2,000 years old.

This appeal represents the service’s first ever crowdfunder campaign.

The hoard was discovered in the parish of Rotherfield Peppard near Henley-on-Thames in August 2020 by a metal detector user and, with archaeologists, was then excavated.

Chairman of the Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum, Edward Dowler, said: “Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum has a proud and long standing history of supporting the museum to acquire treasure. We are pleased to enable the museum team to take this exciting new step.

“We hope that the campaign will inspire the many people who want to see Oxfordshire treasures kept in the county, and displayed in its museum, to donate.”

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “This is an exceptional opportunity for our county council museum service to acquire a fascinating collection of objects that tells us so many stories about our iron age forebears from so long ago.

“I hope local people can help us in our quest to conserve these incredibly historic and valuable items for present and future generations of Oxfordshire people.”

The iron age of the British Isles started 800 years BC and it is believed that this hoard was buried in AD 50 to 150, shortly after the Roman invasion.

The hoard was found in a pottery urn, sealed by a quern stone. The contents of the urn included a stunning copper alloy and enamelled iron age horse brooch, an enamelled patera handle, a brooch, one silver roman coin and a lead weight.

Such a hoard is classified as treasure under the national Treasure Act. As the county’s repository for archaeological finds, the county council’s museum service has the first chance to acquire it for Oxfordshire and ultimately save it from going into private hands.

Donors who give over £20 will also be invited to a special viewing of the hoard with the council’s curator of archaeology if the campaign is successful.

Donations made will be used only to support the acquisition and conservation of the hoard for the museum. People donating are urged to opt in for Gift Aid as this boosts the money received and will help reach the target more quickly.

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

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

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.

More information and donations can be made by visiting the dedicated crowdfunder’s webpage.

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Families from across Oxfordshire can celebrate the start of the summer holidays with fun activities and a taste of local heritage at the Oxfordshire Museum’s Family Day on 24 July.

The free event, organised by Oxfordshire County Council’s museum service, will take place at the archaeological site of the Bishop’s Palace in Witney from 10am to 4pm.

There will be plenty for everyone to enjoy, including arts and crafts, and even object handling sessions with the council’s Finds Liaison Officer, Ed Caswell.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “With the summer in full swing, why not come along and enjoy some festivities and a picnic on the lawn at the little known but fascinating Bishop’s Palace?

“It’s a chance to explore Oxfordshire’s rich history in a relaxed and family friendly setting. This is just one of many free events throughout the summer hosted by our brilliant museum service. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, and it’s a wonderful way to support local heritage.”

The historic building known as the Bishop’s Palace was built by the Bishop of Winchester in the 12th and 13th centuries and later became a manor house. In 1757, it was acquired by the Duke of Marlborough.

While the site is accessible, please note that the gravel surface around the archaeological area may be difficult for some accessibility vehicles to navigate.

Find out more about this and other summer events by visiting the Oxfordshire Museum’s website.

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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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The Oxfordshire County Council run museum will be hosting three ticketed events in the beautiful gardens.

Danny George Wilson from the heartland rock and soul band, Danny and the Champion of the World, will be playing his only summer gig in the county on 27 June. This will be the first ever musical performance at the museum.

Meanwhile 440 Theatre will be back, by popular demand, to perform its entertaining medley of Macbeth and Much Ado About Nothing on 25 July, while family-friendly theatre group Fabularium will be performing Reynard the Fox later in the season (22 August).

Mark McCree, Oxfordshire County Council’s Head of Libraries and Heritage, said: “Our Oxfordshire Museum has so much to offer to people of all ages. We’re particularly excited to be hosting three brilliant events in the scenic garden. From theatre to music, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, and we’d encourage everyone to buy their tickets as soon as possible to avoid missing out!

“Of course, entrance to the museum is free, and there will also be a wealth of free activities for children throughout the summer, plus delicious cakes, so a trip to the museum is a great day out for everyone.”

Age restrictions apply to some of the garden events and tickets are limited. For more information on these and other events at the museum, and to book tickets, please visit the museum’s website.

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Open until 29 September, visitors are welcome at Swalcliffe Barn on Sundays and bank holidays from 2pm until 5pm thanks to the efforts of the Swalcliffe Society and Oxfordshire County Council’s museums service.

As well as a permanent exhibition showcasing 2,500 years of history, volunteers will also be on hand to explain the very special history of this remarkable historic building and its collection of agricultural and trade vehicles, providing a taste of rural life throughout the centuries.

Mark McCree, Head of Libraries and Heritage at Oxfordshire County Council, said, "Swalcliffe Barn is a remarkable piece of history that offers a unique glimpse into rural life throughout the centuries. We are thrilled to open its doors once again and share its treasures with people with the help of the Swalcliffe Society.

“It is a perfect destination for families and history enthusiasts alike. Don't miss the chance to explore this beautiful site.”

Special tours for groups of between six and 25 can be arranged with prior notice and can be combined with a visit to Swalcliffe's historic church as well.

New for 2025, the Oxfordshire museums service is also launching a series of events, including family theatre, Fabularium performance of Reynard the Fox, and two family open days during the summer holidays at the barn.

The Swalcliffe Society will also be hosting the Adderbury, Deddington and District Photographic Society for an exhibition of photographs on 7, 18, and 24 to 26 May from 10am to 5pm.

Parking is available, and entry is free, although donations are welcome. Find out more about events at the barn by visiting the Oxfordshire Museum’s website.

Residents are also welcome to volunteer throughout the summer. For more information on volunteering, please phone 01295 788127, or email swalcliffe.barn@gmail.com or oxfordshire.museum@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

About Swalcliffe Barn

Constructed in 1401 for New College, Oxford, Swalcliffe Barn is a Grade 1 listed building and a scheduled ancient monument, situated in the picturesque village of Swalcliffe, six miles west of Banbury.

Find out more about the Swalcliffe Society by visiting Swalcliffe Parish Council’s website or the group’s Facebook page.

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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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Following an incredibly successful run two years ago, Oxfordshire County Council’s Oxfordshire Museum is once again hosting the Bird Photographer of the Year exhibition from 11 January.

The exhibition, displaying submissions from the 2024 competition, is touring the UK and will be at the museum until 23 February. This is its only appearance in Oxfordshire.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Corporate Services, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting this nationally acclaimed exhibition at our museum in Woodstock.

“Thousands of images were submitted to the competition, which is the largest bird photography competition in the world. These spectacular, often poignant images reveal stories from around the world. There’s something to appeal to everyone.

"We are also grateful for the financial support provided by the Friends of Oxfordshire Museum in hosting the exhibition."

During the February half-term, there will be bird inspired activities for all the family to take part in and enjoy.

Photographers from all over the world entered more than 23,000 images into the 2024 competition, across eight different categories, each with their eyes on the £3,500 grand prize.

Photographer Patricia Homonylo from Canada was declared the Bird Photographer of the Year 2024 for her thought provoking image ‘When Worlds Collide’. The photograph shows over 4,000 birds killed by colliding with windows and other reflective surfaces in urban areas in Toronto.

The Young Bird Photographer of the Year 2024 was awarded to 14 year old Spanish photographer Andrés Luis Domínguez Blanco for his creative angle on a nuthatch scrambling down an oak tree.

Last year, the competition donated £5,000 to partner charity Birds on the Brink, which provides vital funding to grassroots bird conservation projects around the world.

The 2025 competition is now open for entries at birdpoty.com and photographers of all experience levels are invited to submit their best bird photos. During February half-term, there will be bird inspired activities for all the family to take part in and enjoy. Items related to the exhibition are available for purchase in the museum shop.

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The Oxfordshire County Council-operated museum store has installed two new kinds of museum racking – improving the storage facility.

The new racking makes better use of the available space and allows for the archaeological collections be accessed more easily.

These archives include pottery dating from the Bronze Age through to the Tudor periods, ancient animal bone, which researchers study to reveal their stories, and even the stonework from buildings.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council said: “The Oxfordshire Museum service has wonderful collections, and the county has particularly rich archaeology.

“The collection covers 200,000 years of archaeology in the county, and includes stories of Vikings in Oxfordshire, Roman coin hoards and Tudor dress accessories. Nearly every parish has some archaeology in our collection.

“We have improved the management, care and access of the objects that are stored here. If visitors want to examine an object more closely, they can now access it easily in our conservation studio for research or just appreciation.”

Anyone can access the county’s collections from the comfort of their own homes using Oxfordshire heritage search, the council’s online portal to collections. The museum service welcomes all enquirers and researchers wanting to view or study collections in person at the council’s store in Standlake.

For a true glimpse behind the scenes, the service also offers tours as well as workshops and private talks for groups. For more information visit the service’s website or email oxfordshire.museum@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

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This exhibition, Quentin Blake: Book Covers, which opens on Saturday 29 June, features 60 such covers from the 1960s to the present, from mid-century Penguin paperbacks to finely crafted special editions and family-friendly poetry books.

First editions are shown alongside reproductions of original artwork from Blake’s archive that show how he combines typography, dynamic layouts and his unique way of drawing to create playful designs.

Jemma Davey, Museum Service Manager at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Quentin Blake’s illustrations are loved and appreciated across the generations. Almost everyone will recall a book from their childhood they cherished that was illustrated by Blake.

“I’m absolutely delighted we’ve been able to welcome the Quentin Blake: Book Covers touring exhibition to Oxfordshire this summer. This fabulous exhibition recalls his unique work and its diversity throughout the years, from his early work in the 1960s to his own books decades later.

“We are looking forward to giving visitors of all ages the chance to rediscover his work, and learn more about how Blake brings his magical pieces to life”

Quentin Blake: Book Covers is a touring exhibition from Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration. People can enjoy it for free at Oxfordshire Museum until 8 September.

For more information about exhibitions, workshops and events at the Oxfordshire Museum, visit the museum’s website.

About Quentin Blake

Born in the suburbs of London in 1932, Blake first had his drawings published in Punch magazine when he was 16 years old and still at school.

He was head of the Royal College of Art's illustration department for more than 20 years and was later appointed the first ever Children's Laureate, a role which saw him promote children's literature.

Blake received a knighthood in 2013 for ‘services to illustration’.

About the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration

Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration is the UK’s first and only charity dedicated to championing illustration: art that communicates a story, message or idea. Through exhibitions and creative projects, the Centre celebrates illustration in all its forms, supports illustrators and empowers people of all ages to share their stories.

The charity was founded in 2002 by Quentin Blake, one of the UK’s best-loved illustrators. As ‘House of Illustration’ it successfully operated a gallery, toured exhibitions and developed new ways of working with schools and community projects, working from rented accommodation in Kings Cross from 2014 – 2020.

It has now acquired a heritage site called New River Head in Clerkenwell, London to become its permanent home. A project led by Tim Ronalds Architects will restore and repurpose New River Head to offer galleries, learning spaces, public gardens, a shop and café. While the project is in development, Quentin Blake Centre continues to connect people with illustration through residencies, online events, collaborations with schools and the local community, as well as touring exhibitions across the UK.

Follow @qbcentre on Instagram, X and LinkedIn and @QuentinBlakeCentre on Facebook.

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Oxfordshire County Council’s Oxfordshire Museum and SOFO have committed to continue their work together to improve the shared Woodstock-based site for the benefit of communities locally and other Oxfordshire, UK and overseas visitors.

In a new joint ambition statement, they have also vowed to explore opportunities to develop and improve what is on offer. The aim is to deliver a more distinctive, rich and attractive visitor experience that encourages more diverse audiences, longer stays, and repeat visits.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Corporate Services, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating ten years of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum at the Oxfordshire Museum.

“Our continued collaboration signifies a united effort to prioritise Woodstock communities and the visitor experience. We look forward to seeing what the future will bring, and the continued improvements that will contribute to a vibrant and memorable destination for everyone.”

While working together to improve services, both museums will remain distinct entities.

David Shouesmith, Chair of Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum Trustees, said: “As the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum marks its tenth anniversary it is essential, we work closely with the Oxfordshire Museum to jointly present a compelling heritage experience for all visitors.

“We very much look forward to a future of close collaboration with the Oxfordshire Museum and the county heritage team as we develop our stories of how the people in our county have experienced, directly and indirectly, conflict over the years.”

Find out what’s on at the Oxfordshire Museum throughout the year by visiting the museum’s website.

About the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum

SOFO Museum first opened during the summer of 2014 in the grounds of The Oxfordshire Museum and Woodstock Library near to Blenheim Palace.

A local military history museum, it tell stories of how conflict has affected the county and its people, from soldiers serving on the front lines to ordinary people living on the Home Front.

Since opening, the museum has hosted a wide range of exhibitions and has worked with national and international partners to bring to life military stories that capture the imagination.

Find out more about, including upcoming events and exhibitions, by visiting the museum's website. 

Joint Ambition Statement

“The Oxfordshire Museum and SOFO commit to working proactively together, through the management structure set out in the SOFO lease agreement, to optimise the shared Park Street site and the associated operations of both museums, for the benefit of the Woodstock community and other Oxfordshire, UK and overseas visitors.

“We will explore opportunities, via the management group, to develop our offers and operations with a shared ambitious aim to deliver a distinctive, rich and attractive visitor experience that encourages more diverse audiences, longer stays, and repeat visits.

“Each organisation will maintain its own distinctiveness, in terms of strategic priorities, collections, and telling its own stories, whilst together seeking a shared and enhanced customer focus.”

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The display features over 20 much loved Oxfordshire teddy bears from families across the county and beyond.

It forms part of a wider exhibition titled ‘Archie and the Poet’, which focuses on the poet-laureate John Betjeman and his lifelong companion teddy bear, Archibald Ormsby-Gore (also known as Archie) now 114 years old, and Jumbo the elephant, aged 92.

The exhibition explores how former Uffington resident Betjeman used Archie as an alter-ego, using original material and audiovisual content. It will also explore the archaeology of Archie and his intriguing history of repairs and changes.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Corporate Services, said: “In celebration of the Archie and the Poet exhibition, on loan from the Tom Brown’s School Museum in Uffington, we thought it would be a lovely opportunity for residents to tell the stories of their own teddy bears.

“My own teddy bear is Australian, a gift from my grandparents when I was born, who were holidaying in Australia at the time. He's been my companion ever since. I look forward to hearing about other people's teddies too."

These special bears also include one owned by a little girl, Kayleigh Harper, who at the time was the youngest child in the UK to receive a heart transplant aged only seven months.

There are fun family activities alongside the exhibition and a gallery dedicated to play including sensory objects and creative writing. Those looking for some teddy-inspired fun and learning during February half-term should definitely pay a visit to the museum. 

Residents can view the exhibition at the Garden Gallery, a purpose-built exhibition space at the Oxfordshire Museum, between 13 January and 25 February 2024.

Archie and the Poet is hosted at the Oxfordshire Museum in partnership with Tom Brown’s School Museum.

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The Oxfordshire Museum Service is keen to hear from residents as part of a new survey to improve accessibility and ensure everyone can enjoy the museum and its collections. It especially wants to hear from people with a disability or impairment,

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “The Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock is a brilliant day out for the whole family and is free of charge. There’s always new and exciting exhibitions, and events throughout the year for people of all ages to enjoy.

"As well as by working closely with disabled residents and disabled people’s organisations, we hope that this survey will allow us to have a full view on how we can best improve the service we provide to ensure that we are doing everything we can to allow every family member to have a great experience.”

The survey can be accessed by visiting Oxfordshire County Council’s Let’s Talk platform or by completing a physical copy at the museum. Residents have until 29 February to have their say.

Anybody who completes the survey can enjoy a 10% discount off hot drinks in the museum café. This can be redeemed by speaking to a member of the reception team upon arrival at the museum.

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People of all ages are welcome to come together and join in the fun and festivities this Christmas at the Oxfordshire Museum.

This year’s theme at the Oxfordshire County Council-run museum is all things dinosaurs.

A range of activities and events are being held throughout the festive period for people of all ages, including the annual Oxfordshire Craft Guild’s Christmas Exhibition, a festive I-Spy trail – the 12 dinosaurs of Christmas, dinosaur themed arts and crafts, wreath making and much more.

The Oxfordshire Craft Guild’s Christmas Exhibition displays some of the best art and craftwork by leading craft makers and designers from across the county and runs until 30 December.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Corporate Services, said: “The Oxfordshire Museum always has a brilliant selection of fun activities and events for everyone to enjoy over the festive period. This year’s dinosaur themed Christmas is sure to be a hit with families, and there’s plenty for people of all ages to enjoy.

“The Craft Guild is always a popular annual event too, and the perfect chance to pick up some gifts for someone while supporting a local craftsperson.”

Entry to the museum is free. The café will also be getting into the festive spirit, serving homemade Christmas biscuits, seasonal soups, hot chocolate and mulled wine.

Find out more about what’s on at the museum, including how to book a space onto the wreath making workshop by visiting the museum’s website.

More information

Oxfordshire Museum Christmas opening hours

• 22, 23 December: 10am to 5pm
• 24, 25, 26 December: CLOSED
• 27, 28, 29, 30 December: 10am to 5pm
• 31 December and 1 January: CLOSED

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The display will be featured in an exhibition titled ‘Archie and the Poet’, which focuses on the poet-laureate John Betjeman and his lifelong companion teddy bear, Archibald Ormsby-Gore (also known as Archie), and Jumbo the elephant.

The exhibition will delve into the use of Archie as an alter-ego by former Uffington resident Betjeman, using original material and audiovisual content. It will also look at the archaeology of Archie and his fascinating history of repairs and change.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Corporate Services, said: “In celebration of the Archie and the Poet exhibition, which will be on loan from the Tom Brown’s School Museum in Uffington, the museum is looking to tell the tales of teddies that were born or lived most of their lives here in Oxfordshire.

“It’s an opportunity to tell the story of your much-loved teddies. My own teddy is Australian, as my grandparents were on holiday there when they heard that I had been born. He's been my companion ever since. I look forward to hearing about other people's teddies too."

People have until 28 November to enter their own teddy for the exhibition and bears must be received by 4 December. They will be displayed in the Garden Gallery, a purpose-built exhibition space, between 13 January and 25 February 2024.

To enter a teddy bear, residents should email oxfordshire.museum@oxfordshire.gov.uk to request a submission form.

People can find out what’s on at the Oxfordshire Museum throughout the year by visiting the museum’s website.

Archie and the Poet is hosted at the Oxfordshire Museum in partnership with Tom Brown’s School Museum.

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The Oxfordshire County Council run museum will run the exhibition until Sunday 5 November. It features a collection of moments and scenes captured across Oxfordshire, the UK, the world and even space.

Typewriters and fairies, science and technology, are all found in this fascinating exhibition that explores the concept of discovery through the creativity of artists.

As part of the exhibition, a competition took place to find artworks that best addressed the theme of discovery. First and second prizes were awarded by one of the two guest judges, Councillor Kate Gregory, at an event on 16 September.

The first prize went to Hannah Farncombe for her portrait ‘Louis’, and the second prize to Jane Smith for her piece ‘Wonders of Woodstock’.

Councillor Kate Gregory, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “It was a privilege to judge the competition for this new and exciting community exhibition. It is a unique idea and does a wonderful job of showcasing Oxfordshire and beyond through the eyes of the county’s residents, while also giving people an opportunity to show off their talents. Congratulations to our two winners.

“Entry to the museum is free, and there’s always something for everyone, from fun activities for younger visitors, galleries to explore to a relaxing garden and café to unwind in. A great day out for all.”

Free art-based activities will be on offer, including creating a community mural and a free drop-in ‘cut, collage and draw’ art session aimed at adults on Saturday 21 October. From 1 November, there will also be a paid for series of discover printmaking workshops.

Find out more and what’s on throughout the year by visiting The Oxfordshire Museum’s website.

Photographs:

• First prize winner Hannah Farcombe receiving her award from Councillor Gregory.
•  First prize winning portrait ‘Louis’.
• Second prize winner Jane Smith receiving her award from Councillor Gregory.
• Second prize winning portrait ‘Wonders of Woodstock’.

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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 exhibition is a chance to see the Stoke Lyne Roman coin hoard – the largest in Oxfordshire County Council’s collection – for the first time and learn more about how the museum acquires, catalogues and cares for them.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety said: “These coins are another exciting find that helps us to discover more about the rich history of our county, and the Roman occupation of early Britain.

“As the largest hoard in our significant collection of coins and artefacts, I am delighted that we’ve been able to bring this exhibition to Bicester. If you have an interest in history and learning more, this is the exhibition for you.”

To mark the start of the exhibition, Bicester Library is also hosting a “Roman Coin Hoard Day” on 3 December featuring activities for both families and adults alike, such as lectures on the hoard, making roman helmets and a question-and-answer session with the Museum Service’s archaeology team.

Those who have made their own discoveries, no matter how small, can also bring along their hoards to Finds Liaison Officer Dr Edward Carswell, who will be on hand to help them learn more about their finds.

The hoard was discovered in September 2016 by a metal detector on farmland. The coins are all thought to date from the joint reign of Valerian and Gallienus (AD 253 to 260) to the reigns of regional emperors Tetricus I and II (AD 271 to 274) and Aurelian (AD 270-5). The hoard also contains several unofficial copies that could post-date AD 274 but cannot be closely dated.

The Bicester area in the Roman era was predominantly rural with notable tribal boundaries at Aves Ditch and the river Cherwell. Nearby Alchester is the site of an ancient Roman town.

Discover more about what’s on at Oxfordshire’s libraries and museums at: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-culture

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A range of activities and events are being held throughout the festive period for all ages, including family fun with the Twelve Days of Christmas i-spy trail, seasonal storytime sessions, and Oxfordshire Craft Guild’s Winter Exhibition.

The Oxfordshire County Council-run museum is also hosting its first festive late-night event on 8 December. It features a performance from the Bicester Rock Choir in the illuminated garden, free crafting activities and a special 10 per cent discount in the museum gift shop for one night only.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “The Oxfordshire Museum always has a brilliant selection of fun activities and events for everyone to enjoy over the festive period. The team is really pleased to announce that the museum is hosting its first late-night Christmas event, which I hope will allow more people to make the most of what is on offer.

“The Oxfordshire Craft Guild’s Winter Exhibition is always a firm favourite and a chance to pick up some gifts for someone while supporting a local craftsperson.”

All activities and entry are free. The café will also be serving homemade Christmas biscuits, seasonal soups, hot chocolate and mulled wine.

Find out what’s on this winter by visiting the museum’s website.

More information

Oxfordshire Museum Christmas opening hours

• 8 December 10am to 8.30pm
• 23 December: 10am to 5pm
• 24 December: 10am to 3pm
• 25, 26, 27 December: CLOSED
• 28, 29, 30 December: 10am to 5pm
• 31 December: 10am to 3pm
• 1, 2 January: CLOSED

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The Lowbury man is currently at the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock but will soon come off display for six weeks as a research team seeks to learn more about him

The work will include DNA and radiocarbon testing to confirm his sex, when he lived, and his ancestry.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “I’m excited to find out what more we can learn from the remains and what it may tell us about the Lowbury Hill site. It’s clear that the site was a beacon of activity for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, but up to now, we appear to know very little about the area. 

“I hope that our modern testing will discover more about who this man was and just why he ended up buried at Lowbury Hill near Goring”

He was discovered at what is believed to have been the site of a Roman-era enclosure and Anglo-Saxon burial mound.

Analysis so far suggests the man was a seventh-century warrior that lived in Cornwall or western Ireland before being buried on Lowbury Hill. His grave contained elaborate items, including a sword, shield, enameled spearhead, knife, shears, a bronze hanging bowl and a bone comb – all on display in the Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock. 

His discovery within a burial mound on Lowbury Hill and the items he was buried with indicate he was a high-status individual from the early medieval (Anglo-Saxon) time period, with some suggesting he may have been a warlord.

He was also discovered alongside a woman. She is believed to have been about 40 years old Her remains have been radio-carbon dated to about 550 to 650 AD. Unfortunately, she was buried without grave items, and very little is known about her.

Both individuals are being studied by student Summer Courts as part of her PhD research at the University of Reading. The research is being supervised by Prof. Amy Smith (University of Reading) Dr Sophie Beckett (Cranfield University) and Angie Bolton (Oxfordshire Museum Service).

The DNA data and CT scans will also help to explore questions about their ancestry and what diseases they may have suffered from. By re-assessing these individuals, Summer hopes to understand their lived experience on a more personal level. It is hoped that we may discover whether or not the two individuals buried on Lowbury Hill were closely related.

The research has been funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council via its South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership. The DNA analysis will be undertaken in collaboration with Professor Stephan Schiffels at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. All data produced during the research will be provided to the Oxfordshire Museum Service, and updated information regarding both individuals will be included in the display at the Oxfordshire Museum.

Oxfordshire Museums Service and Goring Library are running an exhibition and events until 24 November about the archaeological work at Lowbury Hill. For more information, visit the museum’s service’s  website.

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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Archaeologists in Oxfordshire County Council’s museum service have been recognised at the Society for Museum Archaeology's annual awards for their work in developing a digital access and communication engagement project.

The project sought to better engage with communities in order to increase awareness of local heritage and improve digital access to resources. The society commended the project for the way it thoughtfully and successfully engaged local communities.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety said: “It’s fabulous to hear about the success of our archaeology team.

“This project, which included several volunteers, has been a vital tool in helping to improve and better engage our local communities, exceeding our expectations along the way. Not only this, but the success has also provided a model for future projects and collaborations within the council. Well done to all!”

The Eynsham heritage day attracted 462 people, with a number of events taking place including two tours of the site of Eynsham Abbey, two tours of Eynsham Abbey around the village, family activities and much more.

As part of the project, over a thousand artefacts in the collection were photographed – images will be accessible later in the year through a new website. Eight 3D models are also available to view on the website sketchfab.

The museum resource centre, near Witney, is the principal store for all archaeological sites excavated or studied in Oxfordshire, apart from those situated on land belonging to Oxford University. Collections include sites and objects from every period of human history – prehistoric, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, medieval and post-medieval. It is open to the public by appointment only.

More information

•  Find out more about the awards by visiting the Society for Museum Archaeology’s website.
• 1,188 artefacts in the Oxfordshire museums service collection were photographed. The images will be accessible and searchable using Oxfordshire County Council’s new heritage web-based search, which goes live later in the year.
• Five co-curators, all residents of Eynsham were recruited for the project.
• 462 people attended the Eynsham Heritage Day on 19 March, with the following events taking place: 
  • Two tours of the site of Eynsham Abbey 
  • Two tours of Eynsham Abbey around the village 
  • Family i-spy handout: architectural features in the centre of the village
  • A pop-up exhibition of medieval pottery and a pop-up exhibition of the ice age 
  • Exhibition at the Bartholomew Rooms of the Eynsham Abbey collection, private stonework and past images of the Eynsham
  • Archaeological finds identification
  • A medieval tile-making family activity 
  • A guided tour of St. Leonards Church
  • Drop-in tours of Eynsham's local pottery and old forge site

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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 national award is the culmination of a nine-month application and validation process. The service was assessed on organisational health, collection management procedures, access arrangements and work with partners and stakeholders. 

The accreditation panel recognised the positive progress the service has made through its committed staff and commended its approach to partnership working.

 Mark McCree, Oxfordshire County Council’s Libraries & Heritage Services Manager, said of the award: “I am very proud of the team for regaining this quality standard. The National Archives has recognised the positive progress that the service has made in recent years. These are foundations, alongside the emerging libraries and heritage strategy, for us to build on. 

 “I hope this gives our customers and partner organisations renewed confidence that the rich and valued heritage of the county is in safe hands.”

 Oxfordshire History Centre, the county’s archive and local studies service, based at St Luke’s Church in Cowley, collects, preserves and makes available archives, photographs and printed material related to Oxfordshire and its history. 

 Accreditation by the UK Archive Service Accreditation Committee is the national quality standard, recognising good performance in all areas of archive service delivery. Accredited archive services help to ensure the long-term collection, preservation, and accessibility of archive heritage in Oxfordshire and nationally. 

 It is the second time Oxfordshire History Centre has received accreditation, having first been awarded it back in 2015.

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The Victoria County History (VCH) of Oxfordshire forms part of a national project to create an encyclopaedia of each of the historic counties of England. In Oxfordshire, this latest 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.

 Work is now underway on the next edition, covering the Chipping Norton area. The Burford and Chadlington areas are to follow.

 In Oxfordshire, it is in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council as part of its Heritage Services.

 Mark McCree, Oxfordshire County Council’s Service Manager for Libraries and Heritage, said: “From the Cotswolds, Cherwell Valley and Chilterns to the City of Oxford, Oxfordshire is a stunning county with so much history. Victoria County History Oxfordshire allows us to document some of this rich and colourful history.

“This edition focuses on the twelve ancient parishes of the South Oxfordshire Chilterns, which cover an area of over 30,000 acres, all straddling the Chiltern hills and contained within a southward loop of the River Thames. This area has seen tremendous changes throughout its history, so this volume is both a valuable resource, and an interesting read."

 The economy of the South Oxfordshire Chilterns was predominantly agricultural until the 20th century. Woodland and woodland crafts played a significant role alongside local industry, including small-scale brickmaking and quarrying and the usual rural trades. Gentrification gained momentum from the mid-19th century, accelerated by the arrival of the railway in 1840, and particularly affected riverside villages, which saw extensive new buildings by wealthy incomers.

 The published volumes are available in Oxford Central Library, various branch libraries, and Oxfordshire History Centre. They are available for purchase at boydellandbrewer.com.

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

 More information

• Places included:
  • Caversham (including Cane End, Kidmore End, and Emmer Green); Checkendon (including Littlestoke and Wyfold); Crowmarsh Gifford; Eye and Dunsden (including Sonning Common); Goring (including Goring Heath and Gatehampton); Ipsden (including Stoke Row); Mapledurham; Mongewell; Newnham Murren; North Stoke; Shiplake (including Binfield Heath); Whitchurch (including Whitchurch Hill).
• Current projects all fall within the ancient (pre-1974) county of Oxfordshire.
• Places in the Vale of White Horse (absorbed into Oxfordshire in 1974) were covered in the Berkshire VCH series, published in 1906 - 27 but may be revisited in the future.
• Two general volumes were published in 1907 and 1939 but detailed work on individual parishes and towns only began in the 1950s - 60s.

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 The consultation, which goes live on Monday 24 January, is seeking to gauge public opinion of the new strategy, which sets out how services will be delivered in the years up to 2027.

 Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “Public libraries and heritage services are vital community hubs, which provide a wide range of services and facilities for people of all ages. We really want to ensure that these services properly reflect the needs of our growing population and we hope that this strategy will provide the foundations to make this happen.

 “We asked residents last year about the future of library and heritage services and have drafted a strategy based on the feedback we received. Now, we want to check back in with everyone before we finalise plans.

“We want to ensure that the future service delivers the kind of offer and the range of creative, inspiring and inclusive places that residents need.”

 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 people’s health and wellbeing. 

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

 Residents will be able to respond to the draft strategy by going to Let’s Talk Oxfordshire from 24 January until 18 March 2022.

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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 Oxfordshire Craft Guild’s Christmas Exhibition showcases some of the best art and craftwork by leading craft makers and designers from across the county and runs until 23 December when it takes a short break, returning for two days after Christmas on 29 and 30 December.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services said: “This annual event is always a firm favourite with visitors keen to pick up a special Christmas gift or simply take a look at some of the finest work by members of the guild. A wonderful opportunity to support some very talented local artists and craftspeople.

“There is a range of over 30 crafts on display with handcrafted gifts, all locally produced, including jewellery, ceramics, glassware, sculptures, artwork and scarfs to name a few.

“There is plenty on this festive period over at the museum to enjoy, including a family Christmas trail and quiz. The shop is full of stocking fillers and the café will be serving hot chocolate, mulled wine, mince pies and gingerbread reindeer – so do try and go along and see for yourself.”

The Christmas craft exhibition is open every Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 4.45pm, and on Sundays 2pm - 4.45pm until 23 December. The exhibition then reopens after Christmas on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 December, 10am – 4.45pm.

More information about the Oxfordshire Craft Guild can be found on its website ocg.co.uk Find out more about the Oxfordshire Museum by visiting Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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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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The touring exhibition, produced by Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, showcases work from makers of automata – moving mechanical figures or devices –across the UK. It includes hands on interactives, original artefacts, video footage, and free family holiday workshop programmes, trails and quizzes for everyone to enjoy.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety said: “It’s great to see exhibitions once more at the Oxfordshire Museum as we return to normality post-COVID. This exhibition, in particular, takes a really unique and fascinating look at the world of automata with Cabaret Mechanical Theatre and the tools used to create them. Exhibitions at the museum are free and would make a great day out for all the family. Take a look at our website for more information.”

The exhibition has been brought to Oxfordshire in collaboration with Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, a company that started making and displaying automata in 1979. Since then, over 10 million people have seen their exhibitions worldwide.

The Oxfordshire Museum is situated in an 18th century house in the heart of Woodstock. It has an extensive garden, purpose-built gallery hosting changing exhibitions and features displays of Oxfordshire's history, art, archaeology, landscape and wildlife, a dinosaur garden and a gallery.

Find out more about events at the Oxfordshire Museum on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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The skeleton of the young man, believed to have been one of at least 35 brutally executed in the city in AD 1002 on the orders of the king, was couriered from its home at Oxfordshire County Council’s Museums Resource Centre in Standlake, West Oxfordshire, to Copenhagen earlier this month. The bones were laid out earlier this week after a period in quarantine.

Ancient DNA evidence published last year revealed that the skeleton – labelled SK1756 but named Vidar by its Danish hosts – is a close relative, such as an uncle, nephew, grandson or half-brother, of a skeleton uncovered during an excavation in Denmark. Both will soon be on display to the public at a Viking exhibition at the National Museum of Denmark and have already been the subject of a Danish documentary, partly filmed in Oxfordshire last September.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Curator of Archaeology, Angie Bolton, said: “It was a bit emotional waving goodbye to him after all of this planning, filming, and getting to know his story.”

The mass grave was discovered in 2008 when archaeological excavations took place ahead of a development in the grounds of Oxford University’s St John’s College. Research shows that they had all been massacred at the same time, probably in AD 1002.

While 33 of them were tall, robust adult males, two were adolescents who had all met a violent death but did not necessarily lead a violent life. Isotopic analysis suggests that some of the victims originated from within the UK, Denmark and Germany.

SK1756 had been hit with a sword eight to ten times in the head and stabbed several times in the spine.

The massacre was prompted by King Aethelred II’s inability to stop Viking invaders from raiding England towards the end of the 10^th century, despite paying them large bribes to stop.

As a result, in AD 1002 he issued a decree ordering the killing of all Danes on St Brice’s Day, including Danish raiders, plus settlers and their offspring. The timing, plus historical and archaeological evidence suggests that the remains found in Oxford were probably of people killed as part of this decree.

The Danish exhibition is due to run in various forms until 2024 and was the brainchild of Dr Rane Willerslev, Director of the National Museum of Denmark, who also visited Standlake last year to film the documentary. His twin brother Eske – an expert in DNA – helped to establish the family link between the two skeletons.

Jeanette Varberg, Exhibition Curator, said: “We are honoured and delighted that we can reunite two family members that were separated 1,000 years ago. These two men carry a harsh story in their bones. We will share our new insights during the upcoming exhibition on Vikings at the National Museum of Denmark, opening on 26 June.”

However, you don’t have to travel all the way to Copenhagen if you want to view Viking skeletons. The Oxfordshire Museum, in Woodstock, has another of the massacred Oxford Vikings on display as part of its Skeleton Science exhibition, which opened to the public last month. The museum and display is free to visit.

Created by Durham University, this exhibition explores how scientific analysis of their skeletons helps us to understand more about the lives of people from the past.

The bones of the young Viking on display show that his upper body was muscular and that he had an unusually shaped head due to the plates of his skull having started to fuse before he had stopped growing. We know he was aged between 16 and 20 years old, suffered with tuberculosis, and had violent wounds inflicted on him, resulting in his death.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “We are delighted that our museums are once again opening up to visitors. The skeleton science exhibition offers a glimpse into Oxford’s gory past, as well a fascinating look at what scientists can teach us about the lives of our ancestors.”

The Museums Resource Centre is the principal store for all archaeological sites excavated or studied in Oxfordshire. Collections include objects from every period of human history – prehistoric, Roman, Saxon, medieval and post-medieval.

The skeleton is one of at least 35 men and boys believed to be victims of Oxford’s St Brice’s Day Massacre of AD 1002, in which dozens of Danish raiders, settlers and their offspring were thought to have been executed on the orders of the King Aethelred II of England. The skeleton is held at Oxfordshire County Council’s Museum Resource Centre in Standlake, West Oxfordshire.

Now DNA evidence has shown that a male skeleton, discovered during an excavation in Denmark, is closely related to one of the Oxfordshire victims – known as SK1756.

Next year, SK1756 will be taken ‘home’ to Denmark to be included in a Viking exhibition alongside the latest Danish discovery – believed to be a close relative such as an uncle, nephew, grandfather, grandson or half-brother.

In the meantime, SK1756 is set to be featured in a Danish TV documentary about the Vikings. The Director of the National Museum of Denmark, Dr Rane Willerslev, visited Standlake with a television crew on Thursday, September 24, where he interviewed Oxfordshire’s Curator of Archaeology, Angie Bolton, for the documentary.

Dr Willerslev said: “It was very interesting and very revealing.

“It was strange to see this skeleton – one of your ancestors – which had been hit eight to 10 times in the head and stabbed several times in the spine, just lying there in front of you.”

Some of the work in establishing the link between the two skeletons was carried out by Dr Willerslev’s twin brother Eske, an expert in DNA.

“We thought it was exciting when we made the link,” said Rane. “We thought that Vikings had left Denmark to live in Britain, but we were not certain. Now we had the evidence that they were kin.”

The mass grave was discovered in 2008 when archaeological excavations took place ahead of a development in the grounds of Oxford University’s St John’s College. Research shows that they had all been massacred at the same time, probably in AD 1002.

While 33 of them were tall, robust adult males – two were adolescents who had met a violent death but did not necessarily lead a violent life. Isotopic analysis suggests that some of the victims originated from within the UK, Denmark and Germany.

The massacre was prompted by King Aethelred’s frustration at his inability to stop Viking invaders from raiding England.

Towards the end of the 10^th century there was a resurgence in raids, despite Aethelred paying the Vikings large sums of money as a ransom to stop. This was becoming costly and ineffective so, in AD 1002, he issued a decree ordering the killing of all Danes on St Brice’s Day. This included the Danes who carried out the raiding, plus those who had settled, and their offspring. The timing, historical and archaeological evidence suggests that the remains found in Oxford were probably killed as part of this decree.

The St Brice’s Day Massacre is not well-known among the general Danish population, but Dr Willerslev is not expecting a backlash when his documentary reveals the gory details of Oxford’s very own horrible history.

“I don’t think there will be any hard feelings towards the Brits,” he joked. “People always think the Vikings went overseas and killed and plundered, but here the situation is turned around. It’s payback!”

Ms Bolton, who talked the Danish visitors through how the skeletons were found, how they are looked after, and how they are believed to have met their brutal end, said: “The fact that the director of a National Museum came to take an interest in our resource centre is just brilliant.

“The DNA link to the Danish skeleton is amazing and it’s quite a privilege for our collection to be recognised in this way.”

The documentary and the exhibition, due to open at the Danish National Museum in Copenhagen in 2021 and run in various forms until 2024, show that the Danes still embrace their Viking heritage.

“Vikings are very popular at the moment, added Dr Willerslev. “Denmark is regularly reinventing its relationship with the Vikings – the depictions are very different throughout the years – but they remain one of the most popular themes you can exhibit. Why is this?

“Well, there are adventures and a glorious time in Scandinavian history, when Christian beliefs met Pagan Europe. Scandinavia is very peaceful now so it’s intriguing and challenging to look at the past and see what motivated them.”

SK1756 will be making the journey to Copenhagen next Spring, and there are plans to carry out more tests on the 1,000-year-old bones – either in Durham or Denmark – to try to unearth more secrets from beyond the grave.

And if Ms Bolton has her way, SK1756’s Danish relative will travel in the opposite direction at some point in the future.

“I would love to borrow the Danish skeleton and put on an exhibition in Oxfordshire, showing this example of ethnic cleansing, and shatter a few myths about us and the Vikings,” she said.

Oxfordshire County Council's Museums Resource Centre is the principal store for all archaeological sites excavated or studied in Oxfordshire. Collections include sites and objects from every period of human history - prehistoric, Roman, Saxon, medieval and post-medieval.

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.

With objects from The Oxfordshire Museum collections, the Oxfordshire History Centre and Aberystwyth University Ceramics Collection, the exhibition runs until March 24.

Taking Tea at The Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock, features objects that show the growth of tea drinking in the county, including some of the first British teapots, early imported ceramics from China, tea caddies, tea cosies and adverts.

Photographs of people enjoying their afternoon brew have also been selected from the archives of the Oxfordshire History Centre.

The Oxfordshire Museum and Oxfordshire History Centre are run by Oxfordshire County Council and form 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.

Cllr Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Cabinet member for Cultural Services, said the exhibition was a must for all enthusiasts of the Great British cuppa.

“It really is a wonderful exhibition with so many fascinating exhibits,” said Cllr Lindsay-Gale. “For so many of us the day wouldn’t be the same without a lovely brew and it’s captivating to follow the journey of how the humble cup of tea became such a part of everyday life in quintessential Britain.

“I’m sure visitors will love taking a step back in time and seeing how tea became such a popular beverage.”

Considered as the most British of pastimes, tea drinking has only been part of our culture since the 17^th century.

It originated in China almost 5,000 years ago, along with the elaborate tea ceremony and later the teapot. The Japanese soon took up the drink and the ceremony but it wasn’t until European ships started trading with China that tea made its way to our shores.

The story of tea in Britain is tied up with the uncomfortable story of colonialism and the British Empire. The exhibition includes a display from Oxford University Museums as part of their ‘A Nice Cup of Tea’ project that explores this in more detail. It is also thanks to colonialism that tea is cultivated in India as the British looked for a way of making their tea cheaper.

Once tea made it to Europe new innovations followed, including the tea cup, the tea bag and the glorious afternoon tea.

As it spread from the aristocracy to the working classes, it became an integral part of British society.

From the 1920s studio potters rose to the challenge of making teapots that were both functional and visually satisfying. In recent decades ceramic artists have increasingly used the teapot as a theme to explore ideas about art and craft.

The collection from Aberystwyth University shows how the teapot can also be a work of art, created by some of the finest ceramicists of the 20^th century.

Visitors will also have the chance to get creative by designing their own teapot or an invitation to afternoon tea. They can sit down and read stories of some unusual tea parties and then have their own.

Where & When

The Oxfordshire Museum, Fletcher’s House, Park Street, Woodstock OX20 1SN Map directions

Museum opening times: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10am to 5pm. Sundays, 2-5pm. Last admission at weekends is at 4.45pm.

Picture credits: Teapots courtesy of the Aberystwyth University Ceramics Collection

Black and white images courtesy of the Oxfordshire History Centre